[Ferro-Alloys.com] China's rare earth exports are expected to total around 10,000 tons in 2012, the lowest level in 10 years, primarily due to falling demand in Japan, the largest export market, industry sources said Wednesday.
The amount is far below China's rare earth export quota of 30,996 tons for this year, suggesting Beijing may no longer be able to use rare earth minerals as a "diplomatic card" against Japan in dealing with bilateral issues such as disputes over the Japanese-controlled, China-claimed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
Japan accounted for 56 percent of China's rare earth exports last year. Rare earths are used in the production of hybrid cars, mobile phones and other high-tech products.
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