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Beijing has implemented stricter export controls of products containing at least 0.1% of certain rare earth materials ahead of a planned meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping (The Wall Street Journal, subscription).

What’s going on: “China’s Commerce Ministry said Thursday that foreign suppliers must obtain approval from Beijing to export some products with certain rare-earth materials originating from China if they account for 0.1% or more of the good’s total value. Goods produced with certain technologies from China are also subject to the export controls. Both restrictions apply to products manufactured outside of China.”

• In general, applications to export products with military uses will not be approved, the ministry said, adding that it would also require licenses for exports of lithium batteries and some of the materials used to make them.
• Licenses related to semiconductors and artificial intelligence development will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Some of the new controls took effect immediately, while those pertaining to lithium will take effect on Nov. 8, and other controls begin Dec. 1.

What it means: “The new rules signal China is tightening its stranglehold on key industrial bases and technologies as the U.S. and other Western countries aim to build up domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on China.”

• The new rules expand on moves made earlier this year and late last year to mandate licenses for the export of some rare earths and related goods.

In related news … Also on Thursday, China added 14 organizations to its “unreliable entity list,” meaning these groups would be banned from trading or investing in China.

• The list includes 12 American companies or subsidiaries.

The NAM’s view: “China’s latest round of export-rule tightening underscores what manufacturers have long known: The U.S. must increase and fortify its domestic critical minerals supply,” said NAM Director of Energy and Resources Policy Michael Davin.

• “A big part of making that a reality is permitting reform, which will enable the U.S. to speed up production of the critical minerals and materials that we and our allies need.”