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 has banned exports of some rare minerals to the United States as tensions over trade heat up after the U.S. issued new restrictions on exports of certain semiconductor chips and equipment to China earlier this week.

Beijing said it would restrict exports to the United States of some key components in making semiconductors. The development comes after Washington announced curbs targeting China's ability to make advanced chips.