China moves to shut spigot on rare earths for first time in 5 years

US vows 'unprecedented action' to boost domestic output

Soil containing rare earth elements are transported in a port in China's Jiangsu Province. The materials are used in a wide range of products. © Reuters

SHUNSUKE TABETA and MARRIAN ZHOU, Nikkei staff writers

June 5, 2019 04:32 JST

Updated on June 5, 2019 08:13 JST

BEIJING/NEW YORK -- The Chinese government signaled Tuesday that it will take steps toward restricting rare-earth metal exports in its deepening trade war with the U.S., a step that could disrupt key supplies for high-tech industries even at the risk of isolation from the international community.