South Korea’s trade ministry (MOTIE) stated Wednesday it has found no evidence that Chinese authorities sent formal warning letters to Korean companies over the re-export of rare earth-containing products to the U.S. MOTIE’s statement was in response to domestic media reports that claimed China’s commerce ministry had sent notices to at least two South Korean transformer manufacturers, warning against selling equipment containing Chinese rare earths to U.S. military contractors.

MOTIE said it was in contact with both Chinese authorities and affected Korean companies, but that as of April 23, there was “no confirmation” that such letters had been received. The