Rare earths are needed to building F-35 fighter jets. AFP via Getty Images “I don’t see China negotiating away the dual use export control regime they have put into place for heavy rare earths,” Smith told The Post. “They will say nice things about this not being a ban on rare earth exports, and they will sound accommodating. “But the People’s Liberation Army will almost certainly ensure that export licenses that could possibly allow [rare earths] to make their way into defense technologies won’t see the light of day,” Smith said. China, which controls about 70% of global rare earth mining and about 90% of processing capabilities, has steadily cut off access in recent years amid rising tensions with the West. In April, China snarled worldwide shipments and left Western companies scrambling after it abruptly announced a separate set of licensing requirements on rare earth magnets. An employee uses Apple’s new iPhone 17 smartphone, which is demonstrated in a store during preparations for the series’ launch of sales in Moscow, Russia, September 20, 2025. REUTERS Meanwhile, the US has imposed restrictions on sales of advanced computer chips, such as those sold by Nvidia, due to national security concerns. As The Post reported, many experts fear that China could implement a total embargo if diplomatic tensions take a more serious turn – such as in the event of an invasion of Taiwan. Aside from its shipment restrictions, China said it would limit exports of technologies related to mining, smelting, recycling and magnet-making – making it more difficult for the US and other countries to ramp up domestic production. President Donald Trump, left, shakes hands with China’s President Xi Jinping during a meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, June 29, 2019. AP The rules were announced just weeks before Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in South Korea. Trump has threatened to cancel that meeting. “China’s latest round of export-rule tightening underscores what manufacturers have long known: The US must increase and fortify its domestic critical minerals supply,” said Michael Davin, director of energy and resources policy at the National Association of Manufacturers. Filed under