Naser Alwashmi

China controls nearly all of the world's yttrium supply. US shipments have been highly sporadic since Beijing imposed export controls last year. Yttrium is used in thermal barrier coatings for jet engines, as well as in semiconductors and lasers. Prices rose 6,900% in the 12 months to February, while the shortage was causing production stoppages along the US coating supply chain. The US received a 60-tonne shipment of yttrium oxide in March, 50% more than all yttrium shipped to the country since the controls began. Shipments stopped again until July, when China sent another 29 tonnes. Yttrium will be high on the agenda when Xi Jinping meets President Trump in Washington this month, Reuters columnist Andy Home writes.