Welcome to Seeking Alpha's Wall Street Breakfast, where we cover the top news for investors

every morning.

Good morning.

Today is Thursday, June 5th.

I'm Julie Morgan.

Automakers brace for impact, Kleenex nears a deal, and city cuts deep in China.

The automotive industry is bracing for supply chain disruptions.

Suppliers are increasingly facing delays in getting export licenses from China due to controls on rare earth elements and magnets, which were imposed in retaliation to President Trump's tariffs.

China dominates the critical mineral supply chain

producing about 90% of the world's rare earths that are widely used in the auto energy,

semiconductor, and defense industries. One auto supplier association has warned that the European

automotive supply industry is already experiencing significant disruption,

adding that the impacted auto parts are critical to combustion engine and electric vehicles.

The group noted that these restrictions have led to the shutdown of several production lines and plants across Europe,

with further impacts expected in the coming

weeks as inventories deplete. While the European Union is in talks with China to address the

issue, the bloc is looking to diversify supply chains. The EU has identified 13 critical

raw material projects overseas to ensure sustainable supply, including in the

UK, Ukraine, Greenland, Canada, and South Africa.

Kimberly Clark is nearing a sale of its Kleenex and tissue businesses outside of North America.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that the buyer is Brazilian

pulp producer Susano for $3.5 billion in a deal that could be completed as soon as today.

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