Export restrictions on critical raw materials have increased fivefold since 2009 despite continuing efforts by advanced economies to diversify their supply chains, OECD research has shown.Analysis of export restrictions on important ingredients for defence, technology and green energy supply chains also found that an increasingly broad range of countries were now imposing controls.
The research found that advanced economies had made scant progress in addressing critical mineral chokepoints after being alerted to the risk 15 years ago when China imposed a de facto embargo on rare earth exports to Japan following a diplomatic row over spying allegations.
“China temporarily stopped access to rare earths in 2011 and since then, not a lot has changed in terms of exposure to that risk,” said Marion Jansen, head of the OECD’s trade and agriculture directorate. “The use of export restrictions has increased for 15 years in a row. The curve is flattening but it’s still increasing.”