China's rare earths export cut raises trade concerns

China has raised fresh international trade concerns after slashing export quotas on rare earths minerals, risking action from the United States at the World Trade organisation. China, which produces about 97 percent of the global supply of rare earth minerals, cut its export quotas by 35 percent for the first half of 2011 versus a year ago, saying it wanted to preserve ample reserves, but warned against basing its total 2011 export quota on the first half figures.