China's Global Times press on an item in the trade balance data.

  • China exported 3,640 tons of rare earths in May
  • down 16% compared with April

GT dropping the hint/threat as to what this might be all about:

  • The export fall arrives as China is considering controlling rare-earth exports to preserve resource advantages.

I was wondering if maybe there was some seasonality involved but given they are citing a y/y reduction maybe not? Rare earths have become 9once again) a bargaining chip in the trade dispute.