Ministry: US to blame for rising trade tensions

Rare earth materials not for use to suppress China

China will not allow any countries to use rare earth materials to make products that will suppress China's development, the Ministry of Commerce stressed.

When asked if China will stop exporting rare earth materials to the US, Gao Feng, the ministry's spokesman, said China has been the world's largest supplier of rare earth materials and has always been keen to meet the demand of its trade partners on this material to promote the rare earth industry.

The ministry made the remarks after the Trump administration starting May 10 raised tariffs on Chinese goods and restricted Huawei's business operations, which has harmed the interests of companies and financial markets on both sides.

"While satisfying domestic demand, China is always willing to fulfill other countries' rightful needs for rare earth materials," he said. "But if any country plans to use the rare earth materials that China exports to make products that will suppress China's development, it is not acceptable."