AFP, Paris

The trade ministers of the Group of Seven leading industrialised nations yesterday criticised “economic coercion” by powers placing arbitrary restrictions on exports, particularly critical minerals, in a clear swipe at China.

While never mentioning China by name, the ministers clearly took aim at Beijing and its stringent export controls on rare earths in their statement, after two days of meetings in France.

“We express our grave concerns regarding economic coercion, including coercion through arbitrary export restrictions that may lead to supply chain disruptions, notably for critical minerals, and undermine economic security and resilience,” the ministers said.

China dominates the global industry for rare earths, which are critical for making a wide range of products -- from everyday consumer electronics to equipment used in the defence sector.

The country’s leaders leveraged that strength in spectacular fashion last year, reaching a deal with Washington in October to pause a blistering trade war after Beijing’s curbs on their exports sent shockwaves across supply chains.

The G7 ministers vowed to work with partners to not only reduce their dependency upon rare earths, but to “ensure that attempts or threats to weaponise economic dependencies will fail.

“We seek to deter and stand ready to take actions, where necessary, against economic coercion,” they added.