China’s export ban, imposed on April 4, 2025, as a response to US tariffs, disrupted global access to critical rare earth materials such as scandium. Though used in small amounts, scandium is vital for producing high-performance aluminium-scandium alloys, which play a key role in electric vehicles, electronics, and defence industries.
China’s Ministry of Commerce said, “China will approve the export application of controlled items that meet the conditions in accordance with the law. The United States will cancel a series of restrictive measures taken against China accordingly.”
India’s exclusion from China’s rare earth export deal has sparked concern among manufacturers, as companies face shrinking inventories and continued uncertainty over export license approvals.
