A U.S. Department of State release on the 2026 Critical Minerals Ministerial summarizes U.S. Government actions affecting critical-minerals supply chains, including rare earth elements (REEs). It describes 'Project Vault' as establishing a domestic strategic reserve for critical minerals supported by Export-Import Bank (EXIM) Board approval of a direct loan up to $10B, and references letters of interest including $455M for rare earth development and processing in the United States. While this is not a codified REE restriction, it is an official policy signal relevant for compliance teams tracking U.S. critical-minerals/REE sourcing expectations, government financing conditions, and supply-chain due diligence program direction.
USTR issued a press release announcing a U.S.-Mexico Action Plan on Critical Minerals. The announced work includes coordinated approaches to mitigate critical-mineral supply chain vulnerabilities, identifying critical minerals of interest, exploring border-adjusted price floor concepts for critical mineral imports, and consulting on possible incorporation into a binding plurilateral agreement. This is relevant to REE compliance monitoring because rare earth elements are typically treated as critical minerals; the action plan may drive future trade measures affecting REE-containing inputs and derivative products.
The U.S. Department of State released a fact sheet on the 2026 Critical Minerals Ministerial describing U.S. government initiatives related to critical minerals supply chains, including rare earth elements. The item is not a codified rule, but it is an official government communication that can be used by compliance and supply-chain teams as forward-looking regulatory intelligence (e.g., potential new funding-linked requirements, expectations for traceability/responsible sourcing, and program participation conditions tied to REE supply-chain development such as a Rare Earth Elements Demonstration Facility).
USGS published a Federal Register notice soliciting public comment on the Draft 2025 List of Critical Minerals. The draft list includes numerous rare earth elements (REEs) and is part of the statutorily required process to update the U.S. critical minerals list. While not a direct product restriction, this list is widely referenced across U.S. government programs (e.g., funding, permitting prioritization, supply-chain policy) and can affect REE-related compliance and procurement expectations in regulated and government-supported projects.
China’s MOFCOM and GACC issued Announcement No.18 of 2025 establishing export controls (export licensing requirements) for specified medium/heavy rare earth-related items, including certain forms of samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium (e.g., metals, alloys, targets, oxides, and compounds/mixtures, including certain permanent magnet material-related categories). The measure requires exporters to apply for export licenses and to correctly identify controlled items in customs declarations (including the applicable dual-use item control number), with customs empowered to hold shipments if declarations are questioned. The announcement states it takes effect on the date of issuance.
China promulgated the 'Regulations on the Management of Rare Earths' (稀土管理条例) via State Council Decree No. 785 (adopted 26 April 2024; promulgated 22 June 2024; effective 1 October 2024). The regulation sets an overarching compliance framework for rare earth activities in China, covering mining, smelting/separation, metal smelting, comprehensive utilization, product circulation, and import/export. Key compliance impacts include: (1) market access restrictions—only enterprises designated by the competent authorities may conduct rare earth mining and smelting/separation; (2) state total-volume control (quota-style) for mining and smelting/separation with implementing measures to be developed by MIIT and other agencies; (3) establishment of a rare earth product traceability information system requiring covered enterprises to maintain flow records and submit data; and (4) explicit prohibitions on purchasing/processing/selling/exporting illegally mined or illegally separated rare earth products, backed by administrative penalties (e.g., confiscation, fines, suspension, potential license revocation). Compliance teams in REE mining/processing, trading, and export supply chains should review eligibility/designation status, align internal controls with quota/traceability requirements, and ensure supplier due diligence to avoid handling illegal materials.