China’s Global Exports of Rare Earth Elements and Rare Earth Permanent Magnets

China continued to leverage its control of the rare earth supply chain in April 2026, including restricting exports to the United States and Japan.

China’s global exports of export-controlled rare earth compounds and metals remained low in April 2026. U.S. bound exports–which had briefly recovered in March–fell in April . Exports to Japan remained minimal following China’s additional January export controls, while exports to South Korea reached record highs. China’s global exports of rare earth magnets (some–but not all–of which are covered by export controls) in April 2026 were around historical levels, but exports to the United States remained below 2024 levels.