China Reduces Rare Earth Export Quotas

The Chinese Commerce Ministry says it is cutting export quotas for rare earths minerals by about 11% for the first half of 2011. China supplies more than 95% of the world’s rare earths, which are used in smart phones, military hardware, electric cars, and other high-tech applications. The ministry is allocating 14,446 tons of quotas to 31 companies. The reduction comes after a 40% slash in the export quotas from 2009 to 2010. China also temporarily suspended rare earths exports to Japan in the fall due to a territorial dispute. The Office of the U.S. Trade...

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