China has quietly issued its first 2025 rare earth mining and smelting quotas without the typical public statement, sources with knowledge of the matter said this week, another sign of Beijing tightening its control over the crucial sector.

China's state security agency is intensifying efforts against rare earths smuggling, accusing foreign espionage of collusion to mislabel and repackage minerals. This move comes as trade negotiations with the U.

China launched its tougher export regime in early April, targeting seven of the 17 rare earth elements and including the powerful magnets used in high-tech manufacturing from electric vehicles to smartphones and fighter jets. That threatened deep disruptions to US industry and encouraged US President Donald Trump to agree a trade truce.