In a surprising development, China has emerged as the world's largest importer of rare-earth elements. China is already the top producer of rare-earth elements in the world. Reuters reported that China has for years been the world's biggest rare earths exporter, raising shipments overseas by 4 percent year-on-year to more than 53 kt (58,000 st) in 2018, and its emergence as the top importer as well in a sudden and surprising development
Adamas Intelligence reported that China imported 41.4 kt (45,600 st) of rare earth oxides and oxide equivalents in 2018, up 167 percent year-on-year, as a crackdown on illegal production .reduced domestic output. Shipments were primarily in the form of mineral and chemical concentrates from Myanmar and the United States, Adamas managing director Ryan Castilloux said.
In the case of at least seven key rare earths -including praseodymium, used in magnets, and yttrium, used in ceramics -China was a net importer in 2018 for the first time in more than 30 years, Castilloux told Reuters.
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