US report claiming China 'manipulating' critical minerals prices a ‘political tactic’ to contain China, zero-sum mindset would undermine intl supply chain co-op: expert

专家表示，美国报告声称中国“操纵”关键矿产价格是遏制中国的“政治手段”，零和思维将破坏国际供应链合作

rare earth Photo:VCG

稀土照片: VCG

A US House of Representatives committee on Wednesday accused China of “manipulating” global critical minerals prices to boost its influence. A Chinese expert condemned the accusation as a “political tactic” to divert attention and fuel panic, saying the attempt goes against market common sense and lacks factual evidence.

美国众议院委员会周三指控中国 “操纵” 全球关键矿产价格以增强其影响力。一名中国专家谴责这一指控是转移注意力和制造恐慌的 “政治手段”，并指出此举既违背市场常识，也缺乏事实依据。

The US House Select Committee on China claimed that China for decades has sought to manipulate global critical minerals prices, using its control as an economic weapon to expand its manufacturing sector and its geopolitical influence, Reuters reported, citing a 50-page report from the committee.

路透社援引该委员会一份长达50页的报告报道称，美国众议院中国问题特别委员会声称，中国几十年来通过“控制关键矿产市场、操纵价格”，将此作为“经济武器”，用以扩大本国制造业优势与地缘政治影响力。

The report alleged that China's role as the world's largest processor of many critical minerals has made it nearly impossible for the US and allies to determine the true price of certain metals, including rare earths, according to Reuters.

据路透社报道，该报告称，中国作为全球多种关键矿产的最大加工国，使美国及其盟国几乎无法确定包括稀土在内的某些金属的真实价格。

Gao Lingyun, a research fellow at the Institute of World Economics and Politics under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, refuted the report’s claims, saying the report is just another example of how certain political forces in the US habitually use political manipulation to smear China.

中国社会科学院世界经济与政治研究所研究员高凌云驳斥了该报告的说法，称该报告再次暴露了美国部分政治势力惯于借政治操弄抹黑中国的本质。

“Such moves are not based on factual evidence, but are intended to deliberately create panic and provide an excuse for forming encirclement against and contain China,” Gao told the Global Times on Thursday.

高凌云周四向《环球时报》表示，这样的行径不是基于事实证据，而是故意制造恐慌，同时为构建对华围堵遏制体系寻找借口。

The expert further noted that global mineral prices are driven by a complex interplay of factors, including supply and demand, market expectations, and logistics costs. Labeling normal price fluctuations as “state manipulation,” Gao said, ignores basic economic principles and market dynamics, while masking the US’ own industrial anxiety and lack of competitiveness.

专家进一步指出，全球矿产价格是由供需关系、市场预期、物流成本等多重因素共同作用形成的复杂结果。高凌云表示，将正常的价格波动标记为 “国家操纵”，违背了基本的经济原则和市场动态，同时掩盖了美国自身的产业焦虑和缺乏竞争力。

The report also alleged that the London Metal Exchange (LME), where many minerals are traded, is susceptible to influence from China, per the Reuters report.

据路透社报道，该报告还称，许多矿产交易的伦敦金属交易所 (LME) 容易受到中国的影响。

However, the LME rejected the allegation, saying it is subject to the laws and regulations of the UK, where it is based. “All of the LME’s key prices are determined on the basis of transparent trading activity from an international participant base,” a spokesperson was quoted by Reuters as saying.

然而，伦敦金属交易所（LME）驳斥了这一指控，称其受其所在英国的法律和法规的约束。路透社援引该交易所发言人的话称：“伦敦金属交易所的所有关键价格都是根据国际参与者基础的透明交易活动确定的。”

The global mineral supply chain is a highly integrated ecosystem, and some US politicians’ zero-sum mindset would only further undermine international supply chain cooperation, Gao said, adding that rather than producing biased reports, it would be more constructive for the US to focus on boosting its own industrial competitiveness and pursuing cooperation.

高凌云表示，全球矿产供应链是一个高度一体化的生态系统，美国部分政客的零和思维只会进一步破坏国际供应链合作，她还补充道，美方与其发布带有偏见的报告，不如将精力放在提升自身产业竞争力、开展国际合作上，这才是更具建设性的做法。

Chinese officials have repeatedly criticized some US politicians’ smearing campaign against China’s regulations on critical minerals. Asked to comment on US claims that China’s measures would have broad impacts on multiple global industries at a press briefing on October 16, Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) spokesperson He Yongqian said that the US seriously distorts and exaggerates China’s measures, deliberately causing unnecessary misunderstanding and panic.

中国官员一再批评一些美国政客对中国关键矿产法规的抹黑行径。在10月16日的新闻发布会上，有记者就美方所谓 “中国相关措施将对全球多个产业造成广泛影响” 的说法向中方提问，中国商务部发言人何永谦表示，美国严重歪曲和夸大了中国的措施，故意造成不必要的误解和恐慌。

China’s recent rare earth export control measures are legitimate actions in accordance with laws and regulations, and are aimed at improving the national export control system. The goal is to prevent rare earths from being illegally diverted to weapons of mass destruction and other improper uses, and to better safeguard China’s national security and global common security, He said.

何永谦表示，中国最近采取的稀土出口管制措施是依法依规的正当行为，旨在完善国家出口管制制度。目标是防止稀土被非法转用于大规模杀伤性武器等不当用途，并更好地维护中国的国家安全和全球共同安全。

In late October, Chinese and US delegations held economic and trade talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, announcing a series of outcomes that both sides have since begun implementing.

10月下旬，中美两国代表团在马来西亚吉隆坡举行了经贸谈判，双方宣布了已开始实施的一系列成果。

The US announced that from November 10, 2025 to November 9, 2026, it would suspend enforcement of the “penetration rule” under its export control regime. During this period, companies listed on the US “Entity List” or other sanctions lists will not automatically face the same restrictions for their affiliates holding more than 50 percent of their shares, according to the MOFCOM.

据中国商务部消息，美国宣布从2025年11月10日到2026年11月9日，暂停执行其出口管制制度下的 “穿透性规则”。在此期间，美国 “实体名单” 或其他制裁名单上的公司不会自动面临持有50% 以上股份的关联公司的相同限制。

Chinese authorities also announced a series of adjustments to trade measures, including the suspension of export controls on rare earths, superhard materials, and other strategic resources, as well as a temporary suspension of parts of the 2024 export-control measures targeting gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials exported to the US.

中国当局还宣布了一系列贸易措施的调整，包括暂停对稀土，超硬材料和其他战略资源的出口管制，以及临时中止 2024 年出台的针对输美镓、锗、锑及超硬材料的部分出口管制措施。

Gao emphasized that China has been working to ensure the smooth operation of civilian critical mineral value chains, actively honoring its commitments, and promoting open cooperation in related industries, reflecting the stance of a responsible major country.

高凌云强调，中国始终致力于保障民用关键矿产价值链的平稳运行，积极履行承诺，促进相关产业的开放合作，体这充分彰显了中国作为负责任大国的立场。