China exported 29 metric tons of yttrium oxide to the U.S. in July, the second-highest monthly total since it imposed export controls on the rare earth in April 2025. Yttrium is used in specialty alloys for engines and heat-resistant coatings, making the shipments relevant to U.S. aerospace buyers. The increase came as Chinese President Xi Jinping prepared to visit the White House for trade talks later in September. China continued using rare-earth exports as diplomatic leverage, while shipments of yttrium, terbium, gallium and dysprosium to Japan remained tightly constrained amid a dispute over remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi concerning Taiwan. China also exported 647 tons of rare-earth permanent magnets to the U.S. in July, the second-largest monthly volume since the controls began.