China expands rare-earth export controls, creating risks for PC component supply — Beijing tightens grip on materials for HDDs and more to protect national security

China has expanded its export controls on rare-earth elements, including materials and processing technologies, citing national security concerns. The new rules, effective in December, require foreign companies to obtain China's permission to export magnets containing rare-earth materials sourced from China. This move could impact the supply chain for PC components, particularly affecting storage devices like HDDs that rely on rare-earth magnets. The restrictions could also affect the production of displays and silicon-based materials, potentially leading to delays and cost increases in the manufacturing of hardware components. The policy change highlights the growing concern over potential shortages in PC hardware components.