Last week, European Union trade chief Maros Šefčovič and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met in France and made progress on the EU anti-subsidy case on Chinese EVs, China's anti-dumping case on EU brandy, and China's rare earth export control policies, according to officials from China&

The implementation of China's export controls on rare earths in early April has increased trade tensions with the United States. During the first month of these new restrictions, customs data reveals a 16.3% contraction in rare earth exports to the U.S., while China's overall

Yesterday, officials at the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) held a roundtable discussion on semiconductor supply chains with European and Chinese companies and trade associations, emphasizing the importance of cooperation amidst China's new export control rules and indicating a potential relaxation of restrictions for EU-linked supply chains.

Earlier this week, the Trump administration announced that it would be conducting a national security investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 related to imports of critical minerals and their derivative products.

China's Ministry of Commerce has signaled potential expansion of its export controls on strategic resources, a move that could escalate tensions in the ongoing tech trade war.

Last month, China announced a new regulation on rare earths, tightening control over the industry.

Australian concerns about Chinese investment in the mining sector are continuing, as Treasury Minister Jim Chalmers has stood in the way of another investment.