As China tightens its grip on rare earths, can Brazil be an alternative source? Rest of World By: Jorge C. Carrasco 30 October 2025 at 05:14 Earlier this month, China announced new export restrictions on rare earths — critical minerals that are used in semiconductors, smartphones, electric vehicles, and more. The new curbs sparked a race... © Victor Moriyama/Getty ImagesA worker handles a soil sample at a rare earth exploration project in Caldas Novas, Brazil.