China's Ministry of Commerce has announced on Friday new export restrictions on certain rare earth materials, a move that further intensifies trade tensions with the United States. Effective April 4, the controls apply to the export of medium and heavy rare-earth elements such as samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium. In addition to the material restrictions, the ministry added 16 US entities to its export control list, tightening oversight on the transfer of sensitive materials and technologies. Beijing also expanded its "unreliable entity" list by including 11 more foreign organisations, a designation that enables the government to impose punitive measures such as restrictions on trade and investment activities. Attribution: Reuters
