China Increases Rare-Earth Export Quota; EU Criticizes Move

China, the world’s biggest supplier of rare earths, almost doubled its export quota for the second half from a year ago, a change the European Union said actually adds restrictions to overseas shipments.

Less than two weeks after the World Trade Organization said Chinese limits on raw-material exports break global trade rules, the country yesterday raised the quota for 26 companies to 15,738 metric tons. That compares with 7,976 tons a year earlier and brings the limit to 30,184 tons for 2011, little changed from 30,258 tons in 2010, government figures show.