| China may expand export quotas for rare earth elements, but Japan is waiting to see if supplies actually increase, according to Japan's major media Asahi on July 20.
After a meeting with Japan's Industry Minister Banri Kaieda on July 18, Japanese officials quoted Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming as saying: "China will make slight adjustments if necessary after examining export volumes of alloys in the latter half (of this year)."
It was the first sign of concessions from China over rare earth elements.
Chen's ministry set rare earth export quotas of 30,184 tons for 2011, almost unchanged from the previous year. But they were effectively reduced because alloys, which were added from this year, account for 10 to 20 percent.
"If export quotas are set at the same level as last year, they must cover only genuine rare earths (excluding alloys)," Kaieda told Chen.
After the meeting, Kaieda said, "Japan will carefully watch (China's movements)."
Related Links:
China Eyes Curbing Rare Earth Price Surges Amid Inflation Fears
China
Releases Export Quota of the Second Batch of Rare Earths in 2011 |
(To contact the reporter on this story: huwen@steelhome.cn or 86-21-50585733) |
