Bangladesh, April 15 -- In a significant escalation of the ongoing trade conflict between Washington and Beijing, China has moved to halt exports of several key rare earth metals and associated magnetic materials. The decision comes on the heels of US President Donald Trumps aggressive expansion of tariffs on Chinese goods, a move that has inflamed tensions and led both nations down a path of tit-for-tat economic retaliation.

The export restrictions, announced jointly on April 4 by Chinas Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs, target six heavy rare earth metals and high-performance magnets that are vital to the global technology and defense industries. These materials – which include dysprosium, terbium, an...