China's Rare Earth Exports Increased by 9% in October 2025

China’s rare earth exports increased in October after three straight months of decline. Data from the General Administration of Customs showed exports at 4,343.5 metric tons, up 9% from September. Rare earth elements are widely used in products such as electric vehicles, smartphones, and wind turbines.

Expansion of Export Controls

On October 9, China expanded its rare earth export controls that were first introduced in April. The new measures added 5 more rare earth elements and several refining technologies to the list of restricted exports. The April rules had earlier caused supply disruptions in certain global industries, including automotive manufacturing.

Temporary Pause After Diplomatic Talks

Later in the month, after a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, both countries said they had reached an understanding to keep rare earth exports flowing. Following this, China announced a one-year pause on the October 9 restrictions. However, the controls announced in April remain active.

Year-to-Date Shipments

For the period from January to October 2025, China’s total rare earth exports stood at 52,699.2 tons, marking a 10.5% increase compared with the same period last year. This cumulative growth comes despite earlier months showing a slowdown in export activity due to regulatory limits and weaker global demand.

Data on Export Destinations Awaited

The customs data did not specify which countries or categories saw higher exports in October. A detailed country-wise and product-wise breakdown is expected to be released on November 20, which will provide further clarity on trade patterns.

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Conclusion

China remains the largest exporter of rare earth materials globally. The latest increase in shipments suggests steady trade flow for now, even as parts of the export control framework continue to stay in place.

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