China is pushing back at new U.S. trade restrictions by banning the export of some rare minerals to the U.S. The country is prohibiting “the export of dual-use items such as gallium, germanium, antimony and superhard materials” to the U.

China has announced a ban on exports to the United States of gallium, germanium and other key high-tech materials with potential military applications.

China announced Tuesday that it was banning the export of certain rare minerals to the U.S. that have military and technological applications.

The Commerce Ministry announced the move after Washington expanded its list of Chinese firms subject to controls on computer chip-making equipment.

China banned the export of gallium, germanium, antimony, and industrial diamonds to the U.S., in response to U.S. trade and investment restrictions on Chinese technology companies. Though tit-for-tat tariffs occasionally lead to bilateral trade agreements,