China’s foreign minister dismisses European worries over rare earths
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (left) and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul shaking hands after a joint press conference in Berlin, on July 3.
PHOTO: EPA
Follow topic:
- China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated rare earth export controls are standard for dual-use goods; Europe's needs will be met with legal applications.
- Germany expressed "great concern" over the restrictions, fearing damage to China's reliability as a trade partner.
- Discussions also included Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Taiwan, and the Middle East, with Germany hoping for China's constructive role regarding Iran.
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BERLIN – China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi downplayed European worries over rare earth exports restrictions on July 3, saying it was standard practice to control dual-use goods exports, but that Europe’s needs could be met if applications were submitted.
He was speaking in Berlin, during a joint news conference with his German counterpart, on the second leg of a European tour seeking to lay the groundwork for a summit between European Union and Chinese leaders later in July.
“Rare earths have not been, are not, and will not be a problem between China and Europe, or between China and Germany,” Mr Wang said.
“If legal applications are submitted, Europe’s and Germany’s normal needs can be met.”
China, which controls more than 90 per cent of global processing capacity for rare earths used in everything from automobiles to home appliances, had imposed restrictions in early April, requiring exporters to obtain licences from Beijing.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the restrictions were causing “great concern” and tarnishing China’s image in Germany as a reliable trade partner.
“We are on the path to finding sustainable joint solutions that will bring the necessary detente,” he said.
But when Mr Wang was asked if an agreement could be reached on restrictions ahead of the EU-China summit, he said: “This is not an issue between China and Europe... controlling dual-use goods is standard practice. China and Germany both have the right to do so.”
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce already has a fast-track procedure in place to ensure that normal approvals are processed as quickly as possible, he added.
Mr Wang came to Berlin from Brussels, where he met EU officials,
Mr Wadephul said the two foreign ministers also discussed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Taiwan and the crisis in the Middle East.
“We believe China can play a constructive role in relation to Iran,” he said. REUTERS
