Premier Li launches rare-earth charm offensive at G-20 summit

China used the G-20 summit in Africa to defend its contentious rare-earth export curbs while rolling out a new initiative aimed at placating developing nations anxious about being sidelined in the fast-growing critical-minerals sector, Bloomberg reported.

Premier Li Qiang, standing in for President Xi Jinping, told delegates last weekend that Beijing must “cautiously manage” exports of minerals with potential military use — a reference to China’s sweeping licensing regime that has rattled global supply chains. He framed the measures as a strategic necessity, even as the summit’s joint declaration criticized “unilateral trade actions” that limit access to key minerals, a clear swipe at China.

Li arrived prepared to offer something in return. Hours after his speech, China unveiled a green-mining initiative with 19 countries — including Cambodia, Nigeria, Myanmar and Zimbabwe — and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization. Although Beijing attached no funding commitments and provided few specifics, the plan aims to build an “inclusive” network to keep mining flows “fair and reasonable, stable and smooth,” according to Chinese state media.

The dual message reflected the summit’s main tension: manufacturing powers like Germany and Japan want predictable supplies, while resource-rich nations seek real stakes in processing and value-added industries. As Kevin Gallagher of Boston University put it, “Countries don’t just want China or the United States coming and drilling holes. They want investment in refining.”

According to Bloomberg, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva echoed that sentiment, insisting his country would be a partner — not just a supplier of raw materials — in critical-minerals chains. South Africa’s Thandi Moraka similarly warned that African nations had long failed to benefit from their resources due to chronic under-investment.

Global leaders are now moving to negotiate access. European governments hit hard by China’s licensing rules are planning high-level visits to Beijing in the coming months. Separately, China and the United States are finalizing talks on “general licenses” that would ease rare-earth flows, following last month’s trade truce between Xi and Donald Trump.

Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin said the summit’s discussions had been reassuring, adding he hopes renewed diplomacy will prevent future supply disruptions, Bloomberg said. Times Reporter