The China-U.S. joint statement following the tariff negotiations has raised hopes in the U.S. that China may lift its export controls on rare earth minerals, as China agreed to “take necessary measures to suspend or cancel non-tariff countermeasures against the U.S. introduced since April 2, 2025.” However, China’s recent crackdown on the smuggling of strategic minerals suggests that it is unlikely to ease export controls anytime soon.

On May 12, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce announced that China will launch coordinated effort to crack down strategic mineral smuggling. The spokesperson said that that since China imposed export controls on certain strategic minerals, some foreign entities have colluded with domestic lawbreakers in attempts to circumvent the measures through smuggling and other means. To curb such activities, the national export control coordination office held a meeting in China’s coastal city of Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, on May 9  and more enforcement actions is expected to follow.

The meeting clarified the division of responsibilities among the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of State Security, General Administration of Customs, and the State Post Bureau in this special campaign. It called on relevant departments to strengthen coordination, intensify the crackdown on the smuggling of strategic minerals, and establish a strict, unified enforcement front. Authorities were instructed to take concrete and effective measures to prevent the illegal outflow of strategic minerals.

When asked by foreign media on May 16 whether China plans to lift or adjust rare earth export controls, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian didn’t provide a direct answer.

Editor: Zhiyu Wang