(Bloomberg) -- China has suspended a ban on exports of items with both military and civil applications — likely including some rare earths — to 28 US companies as part of the trade detente struck between the world’s two largest economies.
The move follows an agreement by China and US to temporarily lower tariffs levied against each other’s products — the first major de-escalation in the trade row that was touted by US President Donald Trump as a “total reset” of bilateral ties. Stocks and the dollar surged as prospects of a resolution offered relief to investors.
The announcement from China’s Ministry of Commerce puts a 90-day pause on restrictions unveiled by Beijing in statements on April 4 and April 9, banning the export of so-called dual-use items to a total of 28 named US entities.
While the latest statement didn’t mention particular commodities or products, seven types of rare earths were separately named as dual-use goods and subject to export controls, also on April 4.
Exporters of goods that can be used for military uses are allowed to apply for export licenses to the Ministry of Commerce now in 90 days, according to the statement.
READ: China Deploys Rare Earths as Weapon in Trade War With Trump
The Ministry of Commerce is also suspending a trade and investment ban against 17 US companies, according to another ministry statement issued on Wednesday.
--With assistance from Se Young Lee.
(Clarifies that rare earths were not explicitly mentioned in Ministry of Commerce statement.)