Global Trade Network Patterns of Diversified Rare Earth Products and China’s Role: Evidence from the Cerium Industry Chain

Xueping Tan (), Jiali Qin, Yong Geng (), Yufei Huang and Difei Zhao
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Xueping Tan: School of Economics and Management, China University of Mining & Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Jiali Qin: School of Economics and Management, China University of Mining & Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Yong Geng: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Yufei Huang: School of Economics and Management, China University of Mining & Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Difei Zhao: School of Economics and Management, China University of Mining & Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-21

Abstract: Major powers compete over the 17 rare earth elements (REEs), which are strategic resources in traditional, green, and high-tech areas. The escalation of international trade conflicts poses a serious threat to the sustainable growth of the rare earth industry, triggering an investigation of the global trade landscape for diverse rare earth products. Taking cerium, the most abundant and widely traded REE, as an example, this study selected seven representative cerium products, constructed their global trade networks from 2000 to 2022, depicted macro, meso, and micro trade patterns, and revealed the impact of four major events on China’s trade influence. The findings demonstrate that (1) the trade volume of cerium products in green and high-tech sectors has increased significantly, surpassing that of cerium products in traditional sectors and upstream primary products, and (2) the global cerium trade networks are interconnected, regionalized, stable, and efficient. Germany, the U.S., and other European nations have long dominated mid- and downstream cerium product commerce, but China’s involvement has grown. (3) China’s cerium trade influence has significantly increased, positively shocked by major events. The research findings provide solid empirical support and policy insights for promoting the sustainable and high-quality development of the global cerium industry chain.

Keywords: rare earths; cerium; industrial chain; trade networks; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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