Rare-earth prices triple to new records on China export curbs

TOKYO -- Prices of rare-earth metals have reached record highs in the weeks since China clamped down on exports of the key materials used in electric vehicles, wind turbines and other items amid a tit-for-tat trade war with the U.S.

The price of dysprosium in Europe -- the benchmark for the material outside China -- tripled from the start of April to $850 per kilogram as of Thursday, according to Argus Media. Terbium increased to $3,000 per kilogram from $965.