China placed some rare earth elements under export restrictions on Friday as part of its response to President Donald Trump's tariff package, potentially cutting the U.S. off from critical minerals vital to everything from smartphones to electric car batteries.
China produces around 90% of the world's refined rare earths, a group of 17 elements used across the defense, electric vehicle, clean energy and electronics industries. The United States imports most of its rare earths and most come from China.
Seven categories of medium and heavy rare earths including samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium-related items will be placed on an export control list as of April 4, according to a Ministry of Commerce release.