China's rare earths export quota cut raises international concern

CHINA'S decision to cut export quotas of rare earths by 35% for the first half of the year, has the West, Japan and other auto and high-tech manufacturers teetering on the edge.

Accounting for 97% production of the world's rare earth minerals, China sent shockwaves last week when it announced that it wanted to conserve ample reserves and had not decided on the export quotas for the second half of the year.