Reuters
confirmed through three sources that suppliers are selectively declining orders
despite approvals, a move linked to China's August sanction on a U.S. supply
chain monitor.
These rare earth elements power critical tech like EV magnets, wind turbines, missiles, and semiconductors, where U.S. yttrium imports from China have dropped to half of 2024 levels.
The selective halts give Beijing leverage without a full ban, as both nations gear up for President Xi's Washington visit on September 24 to discuss license commitments and stable supplies.