China’s exports of rare-earth magnets increased nearly threefold in June from the previous month, after the country lifted some export controls on the critical industrial inputs following a deal with the U.

The numbers mark a recovery in the flow of the critical minerals that are used in electric vehicles and wind turbines following a Sino-U.S. trade deal.

China's Ministry of State Security says it is cracking down on alleged smuggling of rare earths materials that it says threaten national security.