A Transformational Step Towards Becoming a Fully Integrated HPA Producer

In May 2024, the former US government announced a 25 percent tariff on imports of Chinese rare earth magnets beginning in 2026, aiming to both protect American industries from China’s trade practices and support domestic production of rare earths. One form of magnet that the tariffs will affect is sintered neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets, crucial for EV motors and wind turbines.

This marks the first time rare earth magnets are included in Section 301 tariffs, signaling a significant move in the US-China trade conflict. The initiative is part of broader efforts to bolster US energy and national security.

Two months later, China’s State Council introduced regulations to tighten control over the country’s rare earth resources. Taking effect on October 1, 2024, these new rules impose strict oversight on REE mining, smelting and trading. They also ban the export of technology for extracting and separating rare earths and for making rare earth magnets.

New US President Donald Trump has escalated the trade war between the two countries significantly since he took office on January 20, 2025, announcing cumulative tariffs of 54 percent on imports of Chinese goods. This includes the 34 percent imposed on China on April 2 when Trump announced varying tariffs on nearly every country in the world.

The tariff drew a strong rebuke from China as it announced tight export controls on seven rare earth minerals: samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium. This move will cause a significant hit to defense and renewable energy supply chains globally.

Trump’s push to obtain an agreement with Ukraine that would give US mining companies access to rare earth mineral deposits in the country, alongside his stated goal to annex Greenland for its rare earths largess have also brought much attention to the sector.

Meanwhile, the EU is also seeking to reduce its reliance on Chinese rare earths through a new law enacted in May 2024, which aims to significantly boost domestic production of critical minerals, including rare earths, by 2030.

These recent escalations could be a boon to rare earth minerals and rare earth magnet stocks operating in the space outside of China. To help paint a better picture of the REE landscape, the Investing News Network has compiled a list of the biggest rare earths stocks by market cap on US, Canadian and Australian stock exchanges.

Data was gathered on April 7, 2025, using TradingView’s stock screener.