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 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.

China has stopped almost all shipments of critical minerals that are needed for cars, robots, wind turbines, jet fighters and other technologies.