The paradox of American Rare Earths, whose biggest prospect is the Wyoming site about three hours north of Denver, is endemic to the mostly small firms trying to extract rare-earth elements crucial to everything from electric vehicles to jet fighters.

Leaders from China and the European Union are now meeting at a summit in Beijing to mark 50 years of historic ties. Expectations were low after weeks of escalating tension and wrangling over its format, with the duration abruptly halved to a single day at Beijing's request.

Half a century after the establishment of relations between China and the EU, and against a backdrop of deteriorating transatlantic relations, the European Union and China held their 25th summit in Beijing.

China's Ministry of State Security says it is cracking down on alleged smuggling of rare earths materials that it says threaten national security.

Lynas Rare Earths reported a jump in fourth-quarter production and revenue, and sounded optimistic about benefiting from President Trump's efforts to loosen China's chokehold on critical minerals needed for cars, smartphones and missile systems.

China’s exports of rare-earth products jumped in June, pointing to a potential pickup in magnet supplies after government-imposed curbs that proved to be Beijing’s most powerful weapon in its trade war with the Trump administration.

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.