Overview
- Beijing confirmed the 12-month suspension applies to the European Union following a Friday videoconference between EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.
- Olof Gill, spokesperson for the European Commission, welcomed the step as appropriate and responsible, with both sides using the year to narrow regulatory differences.
- EU and Chinese officials discussed measures to keep rare‑earth supplies flowing and committed to facilitate export licensing, including potential general licences.
- China indicated it could reduce controls and grant exemptions for qualifying semiconductor‑related exports, according to a commerce ministry statement reported by AFP.
- The paused October controls covered mining, smelting, separation and recycling, plus materials linked to batteries and synthetic diamonds, and the decision followed U.S.–China consultations after the Xi–Trump meeting in Busan.