Some Chinese rare earth suppliers are declining to ship to U.S. customers over concerns that Beijing could punish them, adding pressure to the mineral trade ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s scheduled September 24 visit to Washington. Several companies halted shipments after China sanctioned the Responsible Business Alliance in early August, fearing that compliance with the associated Responsible Minerals Initiative due-diligence framework could trigger retaliation. Rare-earth and related-magnet exports have partly recovered since China imposed restrictions in April 2025, but yttrium, indium phosphide and tungsten remain in tight supply near historic highs, while some U.S. companies have waited more than six months for licences. China shipped 27 metric tons of yttrium to the U.S. in July after two months without exports, and some firms recently received multiple approvals. Japanese and Indian buyers face tighter access, with China recording no terbium exports to Japan from January through August, alongside declines in gallium and yttrium shipments. The dispute has also lifted U.S. rare-earth shares, while Washington pursues negotiations with Beijing and efforts to diversify supply chains.