Beijing Shows Trump Who's in Charge in Rare Metals

August shipments from the world's largest supplier of magnetic rare earth elements (including neodymium and praseodymium) rose 10.2% compared to July, reaching 6,146 tonnes, a 15.4% increase compared to a year earlier, according to data from China's General Administration of Customs released Saturday .

The increase follows a series of agreements between Beijing and Western buyers aimed at speeding up deliveries and easing export controls that China imposed in April in response to US tariffs.

However, by country, exports to the United States amounted to 590 tonnes, down 4.7 per cent from the previous month and 11.8 per cent from August last year.

These elements are used in new technologies and military equipment. Analysts say Beijing's actions demonstrate that China remains dissatisfied with the Trump administration's trade decisions.