China has toughened its rules on the export of rare earths, crucial materials for many modern technologies from smartphones to fighter jets.

The move strengthens Beijing's hand ahead of talks expected later this month between China's President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump .

China's Ministry of Commerce on Thursday announced tighter restrictions on exports of processing technology and hinted at limits on exports to foreign arms manufacturers and some semiconductor firms.

It follows calls in the US for stricter bans on exports of chip-making equipment to China, and mimics a measure Washington has used to restrict exports of semiconductor-related products to China.

"From a geostrategic perspective, this helps with increasing leverage for Beijing ahead of the anti

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