Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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185. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to a change in policy in China in relation to the licensing requirements for companies that are involved in the export of technologies used in rare earth mining and processing (details supplied); if he proposes to raise this at an EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56512/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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On 9 October 2025, China expanded its restricted list of rare-earth minerals for export, broadened controls on extraction and processing technologies for rare-earth minerals, and expanded the scope of licensing requirements. China has indicated that such controls are being imposed on the basis of national security concerns.

These new requirements follow the imposition of export restrictions on rare earth minerals by China in April 2025, partly in response to US tariff escalations. These restrictions have had a considerable impact on EU supply chains, including for medical technology. Since 2023, China has progressively expanded the number of its export-controlled items with a focus on critical raw materials and technologies for raw material extraction and processing.

My officials and I are closely following developments and maintaining contact with counterparts in the European Commission and in other EU Member States on this issue. Indeed this matter was discussed at the meeting of EU Trade Ministers in Denmark which took place just days after the latest announcement by China. Ireland is a strong proponent of fair and open trade, and shares the Commission’s view that any export controls should be proportionate and in line with World Trade Organization rules.