Seven days ago, China made a small adjustment to the rare-earth export policy.
The United States jumped out first and shouted that it had a great influence, and several "old friends" in Europe began to move frequently, even the WTO spoke. It seems that this is not just a matter of resource export, but more like a competition around "who has the final say".
In this game, China managed rare earth, the United States sought help, and the WTO also showed its status.
Your own resources, of course.
This time, China's move to tighten rare earth exports is not sudden. As early as before, the resource of rare earths has been mentioned repeatedly, and its importance is self-evident. It is useful in many high-precision technologies, especially those in military industry, electronics, and new energy industries, all of which are inseparable from it.
But in recent years, although China is a rare-earth large country, exports have not lost much. some enterprises by rubbing the edge of the regulation, the loss of resources is serious, and the environment is also undermined in the process of mining.
This policy, therefore, focuses on blocking these gaps.
Who wants to export, must go through environmental protection and approval, the process is more than half a point strict than before.This is not the closure of the door, nor the barrier, but the resource as an asset, well kept.
Managing rare lands is responsible for the national interests, and it is also telling the outside world that China is no longer the "resource warehouse" that people have invented.
But when the rules were set, the U.S. blasted the pot. The Trump administration’s attitude was clear: it felt that it affected their industrial chains, especially those high-tech enterprises that could not be separated from the rare earth.
They are worried that if the supply of many technologies in their hands is cut off, the consequences will be unpredictable. But the question is, why didn't they mine and reserve themselves before? Now that China says it wants to regulate exports, they are suddenly anxious. This logic is somewhat unreasonable.
The United States is in a hurry, and Europe is following in.
As soon as the United States spoke, several European countries immediately followed suit. The Netherlands intervened in a Chinese-backed semiconductor company, the United Kingdom sanctioned China companies on the grounds of "suspected aid to opponents," and the EU was discussing whether to set more thresholds for China companies.
Looking at these moves together, the goal is not hard to guess, is to put pressure on China and let the rare-earth policy relax.
But the reality is that these countries themselves have gradually fallen behind in some fields, especially in emerging industries such as new energy and intelligent manufacturing. The rise of Chinese companies makes them feel threatened.
Instead, they are protecting their national interests rather than trying to slow down China’s technological progress. Europe once led the technology trend, but now has to rely on gangs to maintain its influence.
What makes people feel even less authentic is that they talk about maintaining fair competition, but their subordinates are imposing restrictions and setting thresholds. On the surface, it carries the banner of "security", but in essence it is engaged in "selecting sides".
This operation is not the first time we have seen it. Previously, in the fields of new energy, communications and so on, they have also used similar routes. To be honest, as long as China shows competitiveness, they begin to find reasons for obstacles.
From the very beginning, China’s position was clear: cooperation can be, but it cannot be abducted; competition is not a problem, but it is a rule.
Rare earth is not a public resource that can be taken by anyone who wants. It belongs to China, and it is up to China to decide how to use it and how to produce it. If other countries want to use it, they can talk about it, but they can't dictate.
The WTO opens up, on which side?
At the same time, the WTO said it hoped that China would adjust its economic structure, mentioned that export growth could be unstable, and also suggested that China should reduce its dependence on the outside world.
It sounds like a suggestion, but in detail, it’s clear: they’re worried that China’s exports are too strong to impact the existing trade pattern.
The problem is that an international organization, which was supposed to be neutral, is now putting pressure on one party, and it is difficult for one to think of whether it is also “aligned.”
Especially in the context of increasingly intense global economic competition, the WTO’s attitude is questionable as to whether it can continue to play a fair judge.
China's response was very calm, stressing that its development path will not change because of the voices of the outside world.
China, which is no longer the country that can only rely on low-cost goods, is on the path of transformation and upgrading, requires the independent control of resources and independent technology of industry.
If you always watch other people's faces behave, then this development game can't be played at all.
Moreover, after all, China’s export market has long diversified and is no longer focused only on Europe and the Americas.The cooperation in Asia, Africa and Latin America is gradually expanding, and the markets are slowly inclined toward these regions.
The WTO concerns about the so-called “export overheating” is not necessarily a burden, but rather a manifestation of China’s manufacturing power and the resilience of the industrial chain.
Faced with the "suggestions" of international organizations, China did not choose to confront, but continued to promote reforms at its own pace. In the final analysis, China is now more aware of what it wants and has enough confidence to achieve it.
Just like this rare earth policy adjustment, although it has triggered a wave of international reactions, in the long run, it is a key step in promoting China's high-quality development.
No matter how big the wind is, the direction cannot be changed
This game around rare earths is ultimately a microcosm of a reshaping of the global industrial structure. China is gradually transforming from a major exporter of resources to a leader in high-end industries, and this process will inevitably touch the nerves of some countries that have long occupied a dominant position.
The United States and Europe reacted with both realistic pressure and mental downturn.They are reluctant to see China’s increasing power of speech in the supply chain and do not want their dependence on China to grow.
But the reality is that they have to face what they have to face.China’s rare land is no longer an arbitrary resource, but a part of the national strategy.China is no longer the role of the arbitrary, but a planned, disciplined, and conscious participant.
The path will not be flat in the future, and there may be more friction and games.
But as long as the direction remains the same, the rhythm is stable, what should be fought for should be fought, and what should be kept should be kept, China is fully capable of defending its own interests in the complicated international situation, and it is also confident to find its own position in the changing situation.
Resources are not the problem, rules are the key. When the rules begin to tilt and cooperation becomes a game, what China needs to do is not to give in, but to walk its own path more firmly. No matter how strong the wind and waves are, the course is clear, and if you walk steadily, you will be able to walk far.