BEIJING (Reuters) -China’s rare earth exports fell 31% in September from a month earlier, customs data showed on Monday, as new controls put in place last week threatened a trade truce with Washington.

China, the world’s largest exporter of rare earths, sold 4,000.3 tonnes of rare earths in September, down 30.9% from August, marking the lowest level since February, figures from the General Administration of Customs of China showed.

Rare earths are a family of 17 elements and it is unclear what types of exports have fallen or which countries were most affected because Monday’s data was provided in aggregate. A more complete breakdown will be released on Oct. 20.

China’s exports of rare earths fell sharply in April after it imposed export restrictions in response to U.S. tariffs. Shipment

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