G7 to Hold High-Level Talks on Rare Earths as China Export Curbs Raise Global Alarm

New Delhi: The G7 rare earths meeting is set to take place this week in Washington, as the United States hosts senior ministers to address growing global concerns over rare earth supplies and other critical raw materials. The talks come against the backdrop of escalating tensions between China and Japan over export restrictions, highlighting mounting anxiety among advanced economies about their heavy dependence on China-dominated supply chains vital for defence manufacturing, clean energy transitions and high-technology industries.

The meeting underscores a broader push by industrialised nations to treat critical minerals as a strategic priority amid rising geopolitical fragmentation and trade uncertainties.

G7 Rare Earths Meeting to Focus on Supply Chain Resilience

The high-level discussions will be hosted by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and are expected to bring together finance and economic leaders from major economies. Canada’s Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne is among those scheduled to attend. Officials from Australia, South Korea, India, Mexico, and the European Union are also expected to participate.

According to officials, the talks will centre on critical minerals, rare earth mining and processing, and measures to strengthen the resilience of global supply chains against geopolitical disruptions and export controls.

China-Japan Tensions Over Export Restrictions

The Washington meeting comes as Japan has raised concerns over new Chinese export restrictions on rare earth products. Reports suggest that China has expanded curbs on shipments to Japan to include materials used for civilian applications, with export approvals reportedly delayed or denied.

The restrictions follow diplomatic tensions sparked by comments from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan. Japanese officials have accused Beijing of “weaponising” rare earth exports, a charge that a charge that China has rejected, maintaining that its controls are consistent with international trade rules.

G7 Rare Earths Meeting: Global Efforts to Reduce Dependence on China

China currently dominates the global rare earth ecosystem, controlling large shares of mining, processing and magnet production. This dominance gives Beijing substantial leverage over downstream sectors such as defence systems, electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies and consumer electronics.

The G7 rare earths meeting reflects growing alignment among industrialised democracies to invest in alternative processing capacity, diversify sourcing strategies and safeguard supply chains in an increasingly competitive and uncertain global trade environment.