China has extended its suspension of the export controls on rare earths, lithium ion batteries and graphite anode materials it announced in October 2025. The extension runs only until 10 January 2027. The original announcement suspended the restrictions for a year. China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) published the notice on 9 November, a day before the original suspension was due to expire. It gave no reason for the particular length of the extension.

It is likely that Japanese buyers of medium and heavy rare earths, especially yttrium, will continue to pay high premiums for material through to 2028 as the country's stockpiles run low.

US defence suppliers have just over two months to prove compliant rare earth supply chains before Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) restrictions extend to the full mine-to-magnet chain on 1 January 2027. Domestic and allied rare earths separation capacity will not meet demand by that deadline. Existing Department of War (DoW) restrictions on rare earth magnet and tungsten purchases from China are to be expanded from where materials are melted or produced to mining, refining, and separation from 1 January 2027. The rules were first set out in 2021, but the deadline for implementation is approaching. Those who fail to comply risk liabilities or contract termination.