China Tightens Rare-Earth Grip on U.S. Firms, Threatening Trade Clash

On 22 June 2026, China added 10 US entities to its export control list, including two rare earth producers and defence firms, and barred 46 from government procurement, according to Global Times. The move followed the US expansion of its list of Chinese military-industrial entities, described as a Pentagon blacklist. The Straits Times called it a 'calibrated' response.

The Associated Press wrote that China's action came after US sanctions on tech giants and restricts its exports to American defence firms. The New York Times wrote that the step threatens a trade clash.