Rare Earths

Workers in silver heat-protective suits and helmets pour molten metal from a large ladle into sand molds on a foundry floor, with flames and sparks rising from the molds.

Pentagon Contractors Lose Their Critical-Minerals Waivers on 1 January. The Aerospace Industry Says Replacement Supply Is Not Expected Until 2028 or Later.

An executive order signed on 20 July tells the Pentagon to stop issuing routine waivers for Chinese, Russian, Iranian and North Korean magnets, tungsten, tantalum and molybdenum on 1 January 2027. An Army Materiel Command official said on Wednesday the service will "see some impact come January." Industry says it still does not know what an acceptable mitigation plan looks like.

By Alison Acosta October 18, 2026

The Long View

Brussels Says China Will Halve Its Hybrid Exports to Europe. Beijing Called It an "Understanding."

After two days of talks in Beijing, the EU's trade chief said China had agreed to "moderate" exports of hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars, with the prospect of cutting them by more than half over four years. China's own list of 16 outcomes mentions an "understanding" and no number.

By Cory Chamberlain October 10, 2026

An industrial welder working amid sparks in a dark factory

World

Thirty Days to the Rare Earth Cliff

China's suspension of its sweeping rare earth export controls expires November 10, about a month away. August export volumes already ran 18 percent below last year despite the truce. The West spent the reprieve mostly watching.

By Cory Chamberlain October 8, 2026

Rare Earths

Tagged stories

Pentagon Contractors Lose Their Critical-Minerals Waivers on 1 January. The Aerospace Industry Says Replacement Supply Is Not Expected Until 2028 or Later.

Brussels Says China Will Halve Its Hybrid Exports to Europe. Beijing Called It an "Understanding."

Thirty Days to the Rare Earth Cliff