EU's Dombrovskis says countermeasures possible in response to China rare earth curbs

BERLIN, Oct 22 (Reuters) - The EU's top economic official said the European Commission was considering countermeasures in response to Chinese curbs on rare earth exports, according to an interview with Handelsblatt published on Wednesday.

"We are examining possible countermeasures if conditions do not improve. We have not yet named any specific instruments, but the discussion is ongoing," EU economy commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis told the German newspaper.

"We are also coordinating this with international partners - for example at the G7 finance ministers' meeting in Washington, where I have just been," he added.

Despite an agreement in July aimed at fast-tracking shipments to Europe, China has maintained tight control over rare earth exports and earlier this month announced expanded curbs.

The EU's trade chief Maros Sefcovic said on Tuesday he was due to meet Chinese authorities in the coming days to find "urgent" rare earth exports solutions.