2025.11.0223:43:18UTC+00China Rolls Back Rare Earth Controls, Ends Chip Firm Probes

China has agreed to remove export restrictions on rare earth elements and cease its investigations into U.S. semiconductor companies as a component of a newly negotiated trade agreement, the White House disclosed on Saturday. According to this agreement, China will issue general export licenses for materials such as rare earths, gallium, germanium, antimony, and graphite, reversing limitations that were previously put in place in April 2025 and October 2022. In exchange, the United States has agreed to delay certain tariffs and cancel a previously intended 100% levy on Chinese imports. Additionally, China will halt limitations on rare-earth magnets, while the U.S. will ease some restrictions on Chinese enterprises. On the agricultural front, China has committed to purchasing 12 million metric tons of soybeans this season and pledges to buy at least 25 million tons annually over the following three years. This agreement aims to alleviate the trade tensions that have caused disruptions in global markets for several months.