U.S., EU file trade case against China over rare earths

The United States, the European Union and Japan filed a trade case Tuesday over China's export restrictions on minerals that are crucial for the production of many high-tech devices, according to EU and U.S. officials.

The case aims to pressure China to lift export limits on certain minerals known as rare earths, a senior Obama administration official said.

President Barack Obama will make a statement about the case later Tuesday from the White House Rose Garden.