"European countries are also likely to be boycotted if China really wants to stop [rare earth] exports to the US"

"Otherwise, the earth metals will still get to America via Europe," said Joris Teer to NOS, in an article discussing how Chinese export controls on key rare earth metals will affect not just the United States, but the entire world.

Even if China does issue permits again, Beijing may limit the quantity as it did before. "By limiting the export volume, China creates scarcity and makes it significantly less attractive for countries to re-export the metals to the United States."