New Delhi, April 14 -- As the trade war between China and the United States intensifies, Beijing has put on hold exports of rare earth minerals and magnets, squeezing supplies of components central to American manufacturers of aerospace, semiconductors, electronics, consumer goods, weapons, and automakers.

China has placed export curbs as part of its sweeping response to US President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs, forcing producers to grapple with tighter permit requirements.

The delays could take weeks to clear as questions including code classification are clarified, reported news agency Bloomberg citing people with knowledge of the issue.

The move has further ratcheted up trade tensions between the world's two largest economies....