China on Thursday strengthened its rare earth export controls, announcing plans to restrict shipments to foreign defence companies and semiconductor users, while adding five new elements to its regulated list.

The world’s largest rare earth producer also added dozens of pieces of refining technology to its control list and announced rules that will require compliance from foreign rare earth producers who use Chinese materials.

The Ministry of Commerce’s announcements follow U.S. lawmakers’ call on Tuesday for broader bans on the export of chipmaking equipment to China.

They expand controls Beijing announced in April that caused shortages around the world, before a series of deals with Europe and the U.S. eased the supply crunch.

The new curbs come weeks ahead of a scheduled face-to-

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