CEA applauds Obama administration’s move to challenge China on rare earth restrictions

ARLINGTON, USA: The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) applauded the Obama Administration on its plan to challenge China on rare earth minerals at the World Trade Organization (WTO). Since 2010, rare earth commodity prices have risen sharply when China took actions to control its supply, which represents more than 90 percent of global demand.

“CEA today welcomes the Obama Administration's announcement that it will challenge China at the WTO,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA. “If China wants to be a world player in trade, it needs to behave like one. For far too long our member companies, particularly small companies manufacturing here in the United States have been bearing the cost burden of China's unfair practices. We welcome this move and the goal of diversifying the sources of these important minerals used in consumer electronics products.”