On Thursday (July 3), China’s foreign minister Wang Yi sought to ease European concerns over rare earth export controls, stating that managing dual-use goods exports is standard international practice. He assured that Europe’s needs could be fulfilled if proper export applications are submitted. Wang made these remarks in Berlin during a joint press conference with his German counterpart, as part of a European diplomatic tour ahead of an upcoming EU-China summit later this month. Rare earths have never been, are not, and will not be an issue between China and Europe, or between China and Germany, Wang stated. As long as legal applications are filed, the regular demand from Europe and Germany will be met.

China, which processes over 90% of the world’s rare earths—essential for products ranging from vehicles to electronics—introduced new rules in April requiring exporters to obtain licenses from the government. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul acknowledged the concerns, saying the restrictions have significantly impacted Germany’s perception of China as a dependable trading partner. However, he also expressed optimism: “We are working toward sustainable, cooperative solutions that can help ease tensions.”

When asked whether a deal could be reached before the EU-China summit, Wang reiterated that the matter falls under routine export control measures, emphasizing that both China and Germany have the right to regulate dual-use items. He also noted that China’s Ministry of Commerce already offers an expedited process to handle standard approval requests swiftly.

Wang’s visit to Berlin followed meetings with EU leaders in Brussels, including foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who had also pushed for an end to the export curbs. In addition to trade, Wang and Wadephul discussed global issues such as the war in Ukraine, tensions around Taiwan, and the Middle East situation. Wadephul added, “We believe China can take a constructive role, especially regarding Iran.”

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.