The media announced the closure of a number of automobile plants in Europe due to China's restrictions

A number of automotive plants in Europe were forced to suspend operations after China imposed restrictions on the supply of rare earth metals. This was reported by the Reuters news agency on June 4.

"Several European car supplier factories and production lines were forced to shut down due to a shortage of rare earth metals after China imposed restrictions on [their] exports," the material says.

According to the newspaper, the decision to suspend the export of resources taken by the authorities of the People's Republic of China (PRC) disrupted supply chains that play an important role for automakers.

It is noted that representatives of General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen and Hyundai also expressed serious concern about China's restrictions.

Weighty element: how China's refusal to supply rare earth metals will affect the United States

The military and space industries will suffer the most — this may increase the split within the White House.

China restricted exports of a wide range of rare earth metals and magnets in April amid a trade war with the United States. According to The New York Times, these measures should have a serious impact on the production activities of American military contractors, as well as on exports to Japan and Germany.