China has taken a significant step to counter President Donald Trump’s tariffs by imposing export restrictions on critical rare earth elements, including materials essential for avionics. This move could jeopardize U.S. plans for a sixth-generation fighter jet, notably the F-47, designed to succeed the F-22 Raptor.
In retaliation to Trump’s decision to impose a 34 percent tariff on Chinese goods, Beijing has targeted not only mined minerals but also permanent magnets and other finished products. Industry sources shared with Reuters that this action raises concerns among U.S. aerospace manufacturers who rely solely on Chinese rare earths for their avionics.
This tit-for-tat follows closely behind Trump’s announcement that Boeing had secured the contract to develop the F-47, the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation fighter. China, which controls around 90 percent of the global supply of rare earths, a group of 17 elements vital to various industries, including defense, could hinder U.S. progress in its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.
In response to the U.S.’s aggressive tariff hike on Chinese products, Beijing’s decision to curtail exports of these essential materials underscores China’s strategic leverage. Rare earths are critical for defense applications, including the production of stealth aircraft. According to the Congressional Research Service, roughly five percent of the U.S. consumption of rare earths is dedicated to defense purposes.
Lockheed Martin’s F-35, for instance, relies on 920 pounds of rare earths per aircraft, with these materials used in its electronic warfare systems, targeting radars, and motors that control the plane’s rudders. The impact on the F-47, which is heavily dependent on similar resources, could be substantial.
China’s Ministry of Commerce has placed seven categories of rare earths, such as samarium, gadolinium, and dysprosium, on the export control list. Additionally, critical materials like tungsten, tellurium, and molybdenum will be similarly restricted. Yttrium, in particular, plays an essential role in jet engine coatings and radar systems, making it indispensable for advanced military aircraft.
The new export controls are not an outright ban but give China the power to limit the number of export licenses, potentially creating a scramble for access to alternative supply sources.
This strategic move highlights China’s growing influence over the U.S. defense industry, particularly as the U.S. progresses with plans to develop future fighter jets. As stealth aircraft like the F-47 depend heavily on rare earths for critical components such as magnets, actuators, and radar systems, the U.S. may now face a significant challenge in securing the materials required to move forward with its fighter jet ambitions.
