HONG KONG — HONG KONG (AP) — China outlined new curbs on exports of uncommon earths and associated applied sciences on Thursday, extending controls over use of the weather crucial for a lot of merchandise forward of a gathering later this month between President Donald Trump and Chinese language chief Xi Jinping.

The rules introduced by the Ministry of Commerce require international firms to get particular approval to export objects that include even small traces of uncommon earths parts sourced from China.

Beijing additionally will impose allowing necessities on exports of applied sciences associated to uncommon earths mining, smelting, recycling and magnet-making, it mentioned.

China accounts for almost 70% of the world’s uncommon earths mining. It additionally controls roughly 90% of world uncommon earths processing. Entry to such supplies is a key level of rivalry in commerce talks between Washington and Beijing.

As Trump has raised tariffs on imports of many merchandise from China, Beijing has doubled down on controls on the strategically important minerals, elevating issues over potential shortages for producers within the U.S. and elsewhere.

It was not instantly clear how China plans to implement the brand new insurance policies abroad.

The crucial minerals are utilized in a broad vary of merchandise, from jet engines, radar techniques and automotives to client electronics together with laptops and telephones.

The brand new restrictions are to “higher safeguard nationwide safety” and to cease makes use of in “delicate fields such because the navy” that stem from uncommon earths processed or sourced from China or from its associated applied sciences, the Commerce Ministry mentioned.

It mentioned some unnamed “abroad our bodies and people” had transferred uncommon earths parts and applied sciences from China overseas for navy or different delicate makes use of which prompted “vital harm” to its nationwide safety.

The brand new curbs have been introduced simply weeks forward of an anticipated assembly between Trump and Chinese language President Xi Jinping in late October on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Financial Cooperation discussion board in South Korea.

“Uncommon earths will proceed to be a key a part of negotiations for Washington and Beijing,” George Chen, a accomplice at The Asia Group, mentioned in an emailed remark. “Either side need extra stability however there will likely be nonetheless lots of noises earlier than the 2 leaders, President Trump and Xi, could make a remaining deal subsequent 12 months after they meet. These noises are all negotiation techniques.”

In April, Chinese language authorities imposed export curbs on seven uncommon earth parts shortly after Trump unveiled his steep tariffs on many buying and selling companions together with China.

Whereas provides stay unsure, China accredited some permits for uncommon earth exports in June and mentioned it was dashing up its approval processes.