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The HillSecretary of State Hillary Clinton will seek a clearer picture from China about its exports of rare earth minerals that are vital to several low-carbon energy technologies.
Clinton indicated in Honolulu that she will “press China this week to clarify its policy on the exports of rare earth minerals amid fears Beijing could use them as a political weapon,” The Wall Street Journal reports.
“Mrs. Clinton, en route to Asia for a key regional summit, stressed following a meeting with her Japanese counterpart in Hawaii that recent Chinese restrictions on sales of the important commercial inputs must serve as a ‘wake-up call’ for the U.S. and its allies to diversify their sourcing,” the article says about her remarks late Wednesday.
China, which dominates global supply of the materials that are used in various industries, has restricted exports to Japan. There have also been conflicting reports about potential cutbacks in exports to Europe and the U.S., prompting concern on Capitol Hill.
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