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國際時事跟讀VIP Ep. L084: China's Rare Earth Gambit

Highlights 主題摘要

• China added five rare earth elements to export restrictions before Trump-Xi talks.
• Foreign firms using Chinese materials must obtain export licenses.
• Defense users face denials while chip applications undergo case reviews.

China announced major rare earth export control expansions on October 9, adding five elements—holmium, erbium, thulium, europium, and ytterbium—to its restriction list. These materials are vital for manufacturing products from smartphone screens to jet engines and military radar systems. The timing appears strategic, coming weeks before Presidents Trump and Xi meet in South Korea. Beijing controls over 90% of global rare earth processing, giving it significant leverage in trade negotiations. The Ministry of Commerce also added dozens of refining technologies to the control list.

中國於10月9日宣布大幅擴大稀土出口管制，將鈥、鉺、銩、銪和鐿五種元素納入限制清單。這些材料對於製造智慧型手機螢幕、噴射引擎和軍用雷達系統等產品至關重要。時機選在川習南韓會面前數週，顯然具有戰略意圖。北京控制全球超過90%的稀土加工，在貿易談判中握有重要籌碼。中華人民共和國商務部同時將數十項精煉技術納入管制清單。

The new regulations extend Beijing's reach beyond its borders. Foreign companies producing rare earths or related magnets must obtain Chinese export licenses if their products contain Chinese equipment or materials, even when no Chinese firms are involved. This mirrors U.S. semiconductor export controls that restrict chipmaking equipment sales to China. Defense manufacturers will not receive licenses, while applications for advanced semiconductors—including 14-nanometer chips and memory chips with 256 layers or more—face rigorous scrutiny. The rules also cover artificial intelligence research with potential military applications, affecting major chipmakers in South Korea and Taiwan.

新規定將北京的管轄權延伸至境外。生產稀土或相關磁材的外國企業，若產品含有中國設備或材料就必須取得中國出口許可，即使交易中沒有中國公司參與也一樣。這種做法仿效美國的半導體出口管制，限制晶片製造設備銷往中國。國防製造商將無法獲得許可，而先進半導體申請——包括14奈米晶片及256層以上記憶體晶片——也面臨嚴格審查。規定並涵蓋具潛在軍事用途的人工智慧研究，影響了南韓和台灣的主要晶片製造商。

Analysts view the expanded controls as positioning for the upcoming summit. "This helps with increasing leverage for Beijing ahead of the anticipated Trump-Xi summit," said Tim Zhang of Edge Research. The White House expressed concern that the rules were "imposed in an apparent effort to exert control over the entire world's technology supply chains." The announcement followed U.S. lawmakers' calls for broader bans on chipmaking equipment exports to China, reflecting escalating technological competition. Industry observers note this could mark the beginning of parallel supply chain systems.

分析師認為擴大管制是為即將到來的峰會布局。新加坡市場調查機構「Edge Research」創辦人Tim Zhang指出:「這有助於北京在川習峰會前增加籌碼。」白宮表示關切，認為規定「顯然意圖控制全球科技供應鏈」。此宣布發生在美國議員呼籲擴大禁止晶片製造設備出口至中國之後，反映科技競爭升級。產業觀察家指出，這可能標誌著平行供應鏈系統的開端。

Market reactions were swift. Chinese rare earth companies surged, with China Northern Rare Earth Group gaining 10% and Shenghe Resources climbing 9.4%. U.S.-based producers also rallied, with Critical Metals jumping 25% and USA Rare Earth up 15%. Industry experts predict "structural bifurcation" as China localizes its value chain while the U.S. and allies accelerate efforts to build alternative networks. The restrictions take effect November 8, with foreign producer compliance requirements starting December 1, shortly before a 90-day trade truce expires.

市場反應迅速。中國稀土企業大漲，中國北方稀土集團上漲10%，盛和資源上漲9.4%。美國生產商股價也上揚，Critical Metals跳漲25%，USA Rare Earth上漲15%。產業專家預測將出現「結構性分化」，中國本地化自己的價值鏈，而美國和其盟友則加速建立替代網絡。限制將於11月8日生效，外國生產商合規要求將從12月1日開始，時間點就在90天貿易休戰期屆滿前不久。

Keyword Drills 關鍵字

1. Strategic [adjective, carefully planned]: The timing appears strategic, coming weeks before Presidents Trump and Xi meet.
2. Rigorous [adjective, thorough and strict]: Applications for advanced semiconductors face rigorous scrutiny.
3. Exert [verb, to apply force or influence]: The rules were imposed in an apparent effort to exert control over supply chains.
4. Bifurcation [noun, division into two parts]: Industry experts predict structural bifurcation in supply chains.
5. Compliance [noun, following rules]: Foreign producer compliance requirements starting December 1.

Reference articles:
1. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-tightens-rare-earth-export-controls-2025-10-09/
2. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgzl0nwvd7o