China Hits U.S. Rare-Earth and Defense Firms With Export Curbs in Retaliation

China has added U.S. technology and mining companies MP Materials and USA Rare Earth, along with eight other American entities that it says are linked to the U.S. military, to its official export control list, Reuters reported Monday. Beijing said the move is retaliation for restrictions Washington imposed earlier this month on a series of Chinese companies.

The blacklist also includes Aveox, a maker of advanced motors for critical missions. The designation effectively blocks the transfer of Chinese dual-use goods, items with civilian and military applications, to the named companies. MP Materials, which has Pentagon backing, runs the only active rare-earth mine in the United States, and together with USA Rare Earth it occupies a sensitive position in U.S. supply chains.

China's Commerce Ministry said the measures respond to the U.S. government's