China is the world’s largest supplier and processor of rare-earth elements — which have become a key area of contention in the trade friction between the United States and China. In April, China responded to U.

By Eric Onstad and Amy Lv LONDON/BEIJING (Reuters) -Prices of two rare earth elements needed for super-strong magnets have surged to their highest in more than two years after U.S. miner MP Materials stopped raw material exports to leading magnet maker China amid rising demand.