Elon Musk said that China's new export restrictions on rare-earth magnets have affected the production of Tesla Optimus humanoid robots, CNBC reports.
While discussing Tesla's financial results, Musk noted that the company is in talks with Chinese authorities, hoping to obtain permission to access the necessary materials.
Earlier this month, China imposed export controls on seven rare earth elements used in various industries, including defense, energy, and automotive, in response to increased tariff pressure from US President Donald Trump.
According to Musk, China is demanding proof that these magnets will not be used for military purposes.
The new rules stipulate that the export of medium and heavy rare earth elements now requires a special license from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.
Analysts note that China remains a key player in the rare earth materials market, and the US currently has no way to compensate for the potential shortage.