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(Bloomberg) -- Chinese rare-earth exporters are asking the government to clarify whether they’re allowed to sell to the US, after Beijing and Washington called a ceasefire in their trade war.

In addition to the dramatic cuts to tariffs announced on Monday by both countries, China said it would suspend or cancel its non-tariff countermeasures imposed on the US since April 2 — an apparent reference to Beijing’s addition on April 4 of seven rare earths to its export control list. Numbering 17 in total, those are elements vital to high tech and defense manufacturing, and removing the restrictions was a priority for US negotiators.

But neither side has explicitly said that the rare earth controls have been rescinded. One possible explanation is that that the curbs apply to exports to all countries — which China is keen to retain — and intends instead to make permitting easier for US buyers.

That’s left exporters waiting for the commerce ministry’s guidance, according to people familiar with the matter, who declined to be named discussing a sensitive issue. The measures agreed under the terms of the 90-day de-escalation are supposed to come into effect from Wednesday.

A separate statement from the government on Monday pledging to crack down on the smuggling of critical minerals, which include rare earths, was taken as a signal that Beijing intends to keep its export controls, one of the people said. An account affiliated with state-run China Central Television also posted on social media that the controls will stay in place.

The commerce ministry didn’t immediately respond to a fax seeking comment.

“Under the May 12 deal, these licensing regimes will likely remain in place, but Beijing will likely accelerate application times and reduce the prevalence of license rejections,” according to a note from Stratfor, which advises clients on geopolitical risks.

The order to regulate the supply of rare earths was just the latest move by Beijing to constrict the supply of strategic materials dominated by its producers.

Outright Bans

The government has used a mix of export curbs and outright bans in the past two years on a broad category of critical minerals, whose applications range across industries, from lasers and radar to magnets, medical devices and munitions. Exports of materials including germanium, gallium and antimony to the US were halted in December, and those bans remain in force.

Beijing has cited the dual-use nature of critical minerals — a reference to their applications in the defense industry — and national security concerns to justify its restrictions.

In the meantime, tracking China’s progress on meeting US demands on rare earths will be a key focus for markets looking to predict the outcome of trade negotiations. As such, it’s highly unlikely the government will surrender its ability to calibrate exports.

“I see no realistic scenario in which Beijing removes them from the export control list entirely, given the national security basis of their inclusion,” said Cory Combs, an associate director at research firm Trivium China.

On the Wire

Xi Jinping’s decision to stand his ground against Donald Trump could hardly have gone any better for the Chinese leader.

The US-China deal temporarily lowering tariffs comes as a relief for Chinese exporters in limbo since the onset of a trade war between the world’s two largest economies.

Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva insists he doesn’t want to pick between the US and China as his two largest trading partners wage a trade war. But it’s increasingly clear which side he’d choose if forced. Meanwhile, Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he plans to sign up to China’s Belt and Road initiative.

This Week’s Diary

(All times Beijing)

Tuesday, May 13:

Wednesday, May 14:

Thursday, May 15:

Friday, May 16:

Saturday, May 17:

Sunday, May 18:

--With assistance from Martin Ritchie.