The European Union has urged China to ease restrictions on rare earth materials – critical for everything from cars to washing machines – after Beijing’s export controls disrupted supplies and triggered production turmoil across industries in Europe and America.

The auto industries in both the US and Europe could come to a standstill within weeks thanks to China’s ongoing restrictions on exports of rare earth minerals and magnets. Several European car part manufacturers have already halted production lines according to the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA).

China's continued restrictions on rare earth metal exports are causing shortages and impacting industries worldwide, particularly in India, the US, and the EU.