China to buy rare earths from U.S. as part of trade pact
2020-01-16 14:54:58 [Print]
China has agreed to buy two types of rare earth metals from the United States as part of an initial trade deal inked on Wednesday, a move likely to boost U.S. production of the strategic minerals.
The agreement, signed in Washington by Chinese Vice Premier Liu He and U.S. President Donald Trump, gives China two years to ramp up purchases of hundreds of U.S. products, including scandium and yttrium, two of the 17 rare earths commonly used in lighting and computers.
The trade deal comes as the Pentagon has moved in recent months to help fund U.S. rare earth and rare earth magnet projects, part of an attempt to help create a domestic supply chain free from China.
The agreement, signed in Washington by Chinese Vice Premier Liu He and U.S. President Donald Trump, gives China two years to ramp up purchases of hundreds of U.S. products, including scandium and yttrium, two of the 17 rare earths commonly used in lighting and computers.
The trade deal comes as the Pentagon has moved in recent months to help fund U.S. rare earth and rare earth magnet projects, part of an attempt to help create a domestic supply chain free from China.
