The reporter learned from Baichuan Information on the 6th that the prices of some light rare earth elements have recently declined. On the same day, Zhong Shan, deputy minister of the Ministry of Commerce and deputy representative of international trade negotiations, said that in recent years China's rare earth export management measures have been continuously improved, and the Ministry of Commerce will summarize the achievements and existing problems, and further improve export management in accordance with relevant laws and regulations and WTO rules. .

Zhong Shan made the above remarks at the national rare earth export work conference held yesterday. He said that the Ministry of Commerce will continue to improve the management and inspection of rare earth exports in accordance with relevant laws and regulations and WTO rules, and make a good connection between trade policies and industrial policies, and incorporate the environmental standards for rare earths and the forthcoming industry access standards into the qualification requirements for export enterprises. , cooperate with related departments to crack down on illegal export behavior, and at the same time strengthen the pace of industrial transformation and upgrading, actively develop high-end application materials, realize the simultaneous management of the export of rare earth primary products and domestic production and consumption.

The statement of the Ministry of Commerce was considered as a response to a report of the WTO dispute settlement agency. The reporter was informed that on July 5, local time, the WTO distributed an expert group report to the members. The report stated that China's restriction on the export of nine kinds of raw materials is inconsistent with WTO regulations. If the report is supported by WTO, the next target may lock rare earth.

According to customs data, China's exports of rare earth ore, metals, and compounds from January to May this year were 23,742 tons, a decrease of 8.8% from the same period last year. However, exports from January to May soared by 242.5% to US$1.6 billion, which was more than twice that of the same period last year.

It is noteworthy that some of the recent light rare earth element prices have begun to decline. According to the information provided by Baichuan Information, at present, the overall price of the rare earth market is in a stalemate stage, and the price of medium- and heavy-earth rare-earth is still rising slightly. However, the actual transaction prices of four light rare earth elements such as lanthanum, cerium, lanthanum and plutonium have dropped significantly. Some small and medium-sized light rare earth manufacturers and middlemen who have long been stockpiling have a phenomenon of throwing goods, and the drop in thorium oxide in Jiangxi is about 5%. A rare earth separation plant in the southern region said that the current price of raw ore may decline, which may pave the way for the reduction of rare earth products.

However, news from large companies such as Baotou Steel Rare-Earth Co., Ltd. shows that at present, they are reluctant to reduce prices, and it is also possible to raise some of the elemental prices later this month, on the grounds that the export market is still strong.