China views its rare earths as a national security issue, not a trade one, and that’s why Beijing is unlikely to loosen controls anytime soon, experts say.

China's rare earths exports rose 23% in May, amidst ongoing trade tensions with the US. Despite this increase, total shipments remain below last year's levels. The US and China are set to discuss rare earths and tariffs in an upcoming trade talk.

China's new restrictions on rare earth exports are seen as retaliation against US tech curbs. Both countries are highly dependent on each other's technologies, complicating the geopolitical landscape.