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BEIJING (Reuters) -China tightened its rare earth export controls on Thursday, expanding restrictions on processing technology and spelling out its intention to limit exports to overseas defence and semiconductor users. The Ministry of Commerce's announcement, which follows a U.S. lawmakers' call on Tuesday for broader bans on the export of chipmaking equipment to China, expands sweeping controls Beijing announced in April that caused shortages around the world before a series of deals with Europe and the U.S. eased the supply crunch. The controls are a major bargaining chip for China in its trade talks with the United States, and the tightening comes weeks ahead of a face-to-face meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in South Korea. "From a geostrategic perspective, this helps with increasing leverage for Beijing ahead of the anticipated Trump-Xi summit in (South) Korea later this month," according to Tim Zhang, founder of Singapore-based Edge Research. China produces over 90% of the world's processed rare earths and rare earth magnets. The 17 rare earth elements are vital materials in products ranging from electric vehicles to aircraft engines and military radars. China is also widening its export controls to foreign companies that use Chinese rare earth equipment or material, the Ministry of Commerce said in its statement, mimicking U.S. rules that restrict exports of semiconductor-related products. Restrictions on exporting the technology to make rare earth magnets will also be expanded to more types of magnets, and China will limit some components and assemblies that contain restricted magnets, China's Ministry of Commerce said in a statement. China is the world leader in rare earth technology, and equipment to recycle rare earths will now require a licence to export, adding it to the long list of restricted processing technology. The new extraterritorial rules will start on December 1, while the remainder commence immediately. Shares of Chinese rare earth companies China Northern Rare Earth Group and Shenghe Resources surged by 8.3% and 6.3%, respectively, as of 0719 GMT. CHIPS AND DEFENCE The Ministry of Commerce's announcement clarified for the first time some of the targets of China's restrictions. Overseas defence users will not be granted licences, the ministry said, while applications related to advanced semiconductors will only be approved on a case-by-case basis. The new rules apply to 14-nanometer chips or more advanced chips, memory chips with 256 layers or more, and equipment used in production of such chips, as well as to related research and development. These advanced chips are used in a wide range of products from smartphones to AI chipsets that require powerful computing performance. The rules will also apply to research and development of artificial intelligence with potential military applications. South Korea, home to major memory chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, is assessing the details of the new restrictions and would continue discussions with China to minimise their impact, its industry ministry said in a statement to Reuters. Samsung declined to comment. SK Hynix and Taiwan's TSMC did not immediately respond to questions. Shares in TSMC finished up 1.8% on Thursday, as the company reported forecast-beating third-quarter revenue. South Korea's financial markets are closed on Thursday for a public holiday. China's rare earth shipments have been growing steadily over the past few months as Beijing grants more export licences, although some users still complain they are struggling to get them. In a nod to concerns about access, the Ministry of Commerce said the scope of items in its latest round of restrictions was limited and "a variety of licensing facilitation measures will be adopted." (Reporting by Beijing bureau; Additional reporting by Heekyong Yang in Seoul; Editing by Christian Schmollinger, Kate Mayberry and Tom Hogue)

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(Reuters) -HSBC shares fell 6% in London from near record levels after the British bank announced plans to buy out minorities in its majority-held Hang Seng Bank subsidiary in a deal worth around $13.6 billion. "While strategic rationale is compelling, and this seems a sensible overall use of capital, we expect investors will query why now and at this price," Citi analyst Andrew Coombs wrote. Hang Seng Bank has come under fire for its performance and exposure to property markets in Hong Kong and mainland China. HSBC was the biggest faller on the FTSE 100 in early morning and set for its largest one-day drop since early April. The stock is still up over 25% so far in 2025. (Reporting by Danilo Masoni; Editing by Amanda Cooper)

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By Leika Kihara TOKYO (Reuters) -A pledge by Japan's next likely prime minister to reassert government sway over the central bank has fanned worries about political interference in monetary policy, however, a weak yen and politics could limit any such push. Sanae Takaichi is set to become Japan's next premier and has already rattled markets by declaring control over the direction of monetary policy following her party leadership win, reviving memories of Shinzo Abe's radical economic stimulus last decade. "The government must be responsible for fiscal and monetary policy. The BOJ will then consider the most appropriate means," Takaichi told a news briefing upon her victory in the weekend race, stressing the need to focus on reflating growth. Her leadership could present the biggest political challenge to Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda, a soft-spoken academic who took the helm two years ago charged with dismantling the radical monetary stimulus of his Abe-appointed predecessor. The extent of Takaichi's challenge, however, is likely to be tempered by the risks of inflation, a sharp yen decline and her own party's weak standing – problems her late mentor Abe never faced. Differences between the government and central bank, instead, are more likely to be seen in communications and expectations around the extent and timing of future interest rate hikes, analysts and sources say. That alone could be enough to stir up market volatility. "It's a huge threat for the BOJ as her remarks show she has little respect for central bank independence," said former BOJ board member Takahide Kiuchi. "It's quite likely she will interfere in monetary policy and try to keep rate hikes in check," said Kiuchi, who sat at the board when former BOJ chief Haruhiko Kuroda deployed massive stimulus in 2013. "I'm sure people at the BOJ are very alarmed." CENTRAL BANK INDEPENDENCE UNDER FIRE The challenge to the BOJ's independence comes as central bank policy around the world, from the United States to New Zealand to Indonesia, comes under increasing pressure from new political leadership. Under law that took effect in 1998, the BOJ nominally enjoys independence although that has not shielded it from past political pressure to expand monetary support for a moribund economy. While the government cannot fire a sitting BOJ chief, it has the authority to pick the governor and members of the board, which then needs parliamentary approval. The most extreme case of intervention came in 2013, when Abe hand-picked Kuroda to overhaul the BOJ's caution over ramping up stimulus under then governor Masaaki Shirakawa. Known more for her focus on nationalist policies, Takaichi's economic views are nonetheless framed by advisers who advocate expansionary fiscal and monetary policy. Such intervention could come directly through public comments by the premier and political aides, or in informal conversations among staff and executives, say sources with knowledge of past exchanges between the two sides. Former BOJ Deputy Governor Masazumi Wakatabe, who has ties with Takaichi, said the BOJ will likely find it hard to justify raising interest rates this year given weakness in the economy. CONSTRAINTS ABOUND Unlike the Abe era, however, Takaichi's urge to keep policy accommodative is likely to be constrained by new economic and political realities. For one, the presence of veteran lawmakers with more conservative views on economic policy may counter Takaichi's radicalism, analysts say. Among them is former premier and finance minister Taro Aso, who was appointed party vice president. He has pushed to keep heavily indebted Japan's fiscal house in order and avoid overreliance on loose monetary policy to reflate growth. Unlike during Abe's days, Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) rests on shaky political ground with its minority coalition facing the risk of a break-up that could deprive her votes needed to be elected premier in parliament. Even if she becomes prime minister, Takaichi may be forced to appease opposition parties by handing over the key finance minister post to one of their leaders – adding uncertainty to how much clout she will have in making demands on the BOJ. The economic backdrop, too, has changed dramatically from the days of Abenomics, when Japan had experienced two decades of deflation, subdued growth and a strong yen that hurt the export-reliant economy. Now, Japan has seen inflation exceed 2% for well over three years as rising raw material costs, due in part to a weak yen, prod firms to hike prices. Delaying rate hikes for too long could lead to a further sharp decline in the yen and worsen consumer inflation, which has been politically disastrous for Takaichi's predecessors. Rising living costs are seen as a key factor that led to the LDP's huge loss in an upper house election in July. Speculation Takaichi's presence will force the BOJ to delay rate hikes has already pushed the yen to an eight-month low per dollar, drawing verbal intervention by Japanese authorities. Takaichi may nod to a near-term rate hike if yen falls persist and threaten to push up already high living costs, said former BOJ executive Kazuo Momma, who oversaw negotiations with Abe's administration. "The biggest loser from a weak yen is the government," Momma said. "If Takaichi's approval ratings were to fall from the outset, it would be because of a weak yen. I'm sure people around her like Aso are well aware of that." (Reporting by Leika Kihara; Editing by Sam Holmes)

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By Leika Kihara TOKYO (Reuters) -A pledge by Japan's next likely prime minister to reassert government sway over the central bank has fanned worries about political interference in monetary policy, however, a weak yen and politics could limit any such push. Sanae Takaichi is set to become Japan's next premier and has already rattled markets by declaring control over the direction of monetary policy following her party leadership win, reviving memories of Shinzo Abe's radical economic stimulus last decade. "The government must be responsible for fiscal and monetary policy. The BOJ will then consider the most appropriate means," Takaichi told a news briefing upon her victory in the weekend race, stressing the need to focus on reflating growth. Her leadership could present the biggest political challenge to Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda, a soft-spoken academic who took the helm two years ago charged with dismantling the radical monetary stimulus of his Abe-appointed predecessor. The extent of Takaichi's challenge, however, is likely to be tempered by the risks of inflation, a sharp yen decline and her own party's weak standing – problems her late mentor Abe never faced. Differences between the government and central bank, instead, are more likely to be seen in communications and expectations around the extent and timing of future interest rate hikes, analysts and sources say. That alone could be enough to stir up market volatility. "It's a huge threat for the BOJ as her remarks show she has little respect for central bank independence," said former BOJ board member Takahide Kiuchi. "It's quite likely she will interfere in monetary policy and try to keep rate hikes in check," said Kiuchi, who sat at the board when former BOJ chief Haruhiko Kuroda deployed massive stimulus in 2013. "I'm sure people at the BOJ are very alarmed." CENTRAL BANK INDEPENDENCE UNDER FIRE The challenge to the BOJ's independence comes as central bank policy around the world, from the United States to New Zealand to Indonesia, comes under increasing pressure from new political leadership. Under law that took effect in 1998, the BOJ nominally enjoys independence although that has not shielded it from past political pressure to expand monetary support for a moribund economy. While the government cannot fire a sitting BOJ chief, it has the authority to pick the governor and members of the board, which then needs parliamentary approval. The most extreme case of intervention came in 2013, when Abe hand-picked Kuroda to overhaul the BOJ's caution over ramping up stimulus under then governor Masaaki Shirakawa. Known more for her focus on nationalist policies, Takaichi's economic views are nonetheless framed by advisers who advocate expansionary fiscal and monetary policy. Such intervention could come directly through public comments by the premier and political aides, or in informal conversations among staff and executives, say sources with knowledge of past exchanges between the two sides. Former BOJ Deputy Governor Masazumi Wakatabe, who has ties with Takaichi, said the BOJ will likely find it hard to justify raising interest rates this year given weakness in the economy. CONSTRAINTS ABOUND Unlike the Abe era, however, Takaichi's urge to keep policy accommodative is likely to be constrained by new economic and political realities. For one, the presence of veteran lawmakers with more conservative views on economic policy may counter Takaichi's radicalism, analysts say. Among them is former premier and finance minister Taro Aso, who was appointed party vice president. He has pushed to keep heavily indebted Japan's fiscal house in order and avoid overreliance on loose monetary policy to reflate growth. Unlike during Abe's days, Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) rests on shaky political ground with its minority coalition facing the risk of a break-up that could deprive her votes needed to be elected premier in parliament. Even if she becomes prime minister, Takaichi may be forced to appease opposition parties by handing over the key finance minister post to one of their leaders – adding uncertainty to how much clout she will have in making demands on the BOJ. The economic backdrop, too, has changed dramatically from the days of Abenomics, when Japan had experienced two decades of deflation, subdued growth and a strong yen that hurt the export-reliant economy. Now, Japan has seen inflation exceed 2% for well over three years as rising raw material costs, due in part to a weak yen, prod firms to hike prices. Delaying rate hikes for too long could lead to a further sharp decline in the yen and worsen consumer inflation, which has been politically disastrous for Takaichi's predecessors. Rising living costs are seen as a key factor that led to the LDP's huge loss in an upper house election in July. Speculation Takaichi's presence will force the BOJ to delay rate hikes has already pushed the yen to an eight-month low per dollar, drawing verbal intervention by Japanese authorities. Takaichi may nod to a near-term rate hike if yen falls persist and threaten to push up already high living costs, said former BOJ executive Kazuo Momma, who oversaw negotiations with Abe's administration. "The biggest loser from a weak yen is the government," Momma said. "If Takaichi's approval ratings were to fall from the outset, it would be because of a weak yen. I'm sure people around her like Aso are well aware of that." (Reporting by Leika Kihara; Editing by Sam Holmes)

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By Florence Tan SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Oil prices were little changed on Thursday as investors weighed a ceasefire deal in Gaza that could ease geopolitical tensions in the Middle East against stalled peace talks in Ukraine that could sustain sanctions on Russia and curb its exports. Brent crude futures rose 2 cents to $66.27 a barrel by 0629 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 1 cent to $62.54. U.S. President Donald Trump said that had reached a long-sought deal for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release under a plan for ending the two-year-old war in the Palestinian enclave. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would convene his government to approve the ceasefire agreement. The signing of the agreement is expected to take place at noon Israel time (0900 GMT) on Thursday. "The devil is always in the details, and I would avoid speculating right now due to the many false starts that we have witnessed in the past," Rystad Energy's chief economist Claudio Galimberti said in a note. The war in Gaza has supported oil prices as investors have weighed the potential risk to global supply if the fighting developed into a wider regional conflict. Michael McCarthy, CEO of investor platform Moomoo Australia and New Zealand, said the Gaza ceasefire is unlikely to change oil supply in the Middle East as OPEC+ has not hit its increased production targets. The group, made up of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies, agreed on Sunday to a November output hike that was smaller than market expectations, easing oversupply concerns. Prices had gained around 1% on Wednesday to reach a one-week high after investors viewed stalled progress on a Ukraine peace deal as a sign that sanctions against Russia, the world's second-largest oil exporter, will continue for some time. "As long as the war in Ukraine continues, the geopolitical risk premium is destined to remain elevated, as Russia’s oil production at risk remains high," Rystad's Galimberti said. Meanwhile, total weekly U.S. petroleum products supplied, a proxy for U.S. oil consumption, rose last week to 21.990 million barrels per day, the most since December 2022, according to a report from the Energy Information Administration on Wednesday. JP Morgan analysts said global oil demand began on a softer note in October as numerous consumption indicators, including container arrivals at the Port of Los Angeles, truck toll mileage in Germany and container throughput in China, pointed to a moderation in activity. Global oil demand averaged 105.9 million bpd in the first seven days of October, up 300,000 bpd from last year's level though 90,000 bpd lower than JP Morgan's estimates, its analysts said in a client note. The pace of global crude and products inventory building has also slowed, expanding by 8 million barrels last week, the slowest increase in the past five weeks, they said. (Reporting by Florence Tan in Singapore and Georgina McCartney in Houston; Editing by Christopher Cushing anda Kim Coghill)

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(Reuters) -Harvard University said on Wednesday that its graduate medical school has entered a licensing agreement with Microsoft, granting the tech company access to its consumer health content on specific diseases and wellness topics. Microsoft will pay Harvard a licensing fee, a university spokesperson said in a statement, adding that the agreement was made through Harvard Health Publishing, the consumer health division of Harvard Medical School. The agreement comes as part of the company's broader strategy to reduce its dependence on ChatGPT-maker OpenAI. The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the news earlier in the day, said the partnership will help enhance Microsoft's Copilot AI assistant with health-related content. The latest version of Copilot, expected to launch as early as this month, will utilize content from Harvard Health Publishing to provide answers to user questions on medical and wellness topics, the university said. Copilot has so far relied primarily on OpenAI's models to power tools across its productivity suite, including Word and Outlook. Microsoft has recently begun integrating Anthropic's Claude and is also developing its own AI models, as it looks to diversify its artificial intelligence strategy. (Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal and Rajveer Singh Pardesi in Bengaluru; Additional reported by Mrinmay Dey; Editing by Shailesh Kuber, Alan Barona and Sherry Jacob-Phillips)

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TAIPEI (Reuters) -TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, reported on Thursday third-quarter revenue rose 30% year-on-year, beating the market forecast, as demand for the company's products leapt on surging interest in artificial intelligence applications. Revenue for July-September came in at T$989.92 billion ($32.47 billion), according to Reuters calculations, compared with T$759.69 billion in the year ago period. The latest result handily topped an LSEG SmartEstimate of T$973.26 billion drawn from 22 analysts, and was in the mid-point of guidance of $31.8 billion to $33 billion issued by TSMC in July in its last earnings call. TSMC only gives guidance in U.S. dollars. TSMC will report full third-quarter earnings on October 16, including an updated outlook for the current quarter and full year. The company, whose customers include Nvidia and Apple, has been a major beneficiary of advances in AI, which has more than offset the tapering off of pandemic-led demand for chips used in consumer electronics like tablets. TSMC's Taipei-listed shares have gained 34% so far this year, compared with an 18.5% rise for the broader market. Taiwan's Foxconn, the world's largest contract electronics maker and Nvidia's biggest server maker, has also reported bumper sales, logging its highest-ever revenue for the third quarter. ($1 = 30.4880 Taiwan dollars) (Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Faith Hung; Editing by Jamie Freed and Muralikumar Anantharaman)

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By Joyce Zhou MACAU (Reuters) -The National Basketball Association (NBA) returned to China on Thursday for the first time since a controversial parting of ways in 2019, staging two games in Macau and announcing a multi-year partnership with Chinese technology giant Alibaba. The NBA is due to play two pre-season games in the Chinese special administrative region on Friday and Sunday, part of a five-year contract with Las Vegas Sands' Macau unit Sands China. The games mark the first time the NBA is playing in Macau, the world's largest gambling hub, and follows a years-long absence amid controversy over the 2019 Hong Kong protests. The Macau games aim to bolster the NBA's profile in China, where around 300 million people play basketball, at a time of rising political tensions between the United States and China. The NBA's absence followed a firestorm of controversy around comments made six years ago by the Houston Rockets' then general manager Daryl Morey, who posted a message on social media in support of Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests. In the aftermath, Beijing suspended the broadcast of NBA games, prompting corporate sponsors to flee and the league to suffer what it described at the time as dramatic financial consequences. Pre-season NBA games in China were also scrapped. "The China fans, I feel like are some of our biggest supporters," Brooklyn Nets player Michael Porter Jr told a media conference at the Venetian. "There's so many fans out here. So I think coming out here and being able to play in front of them is definitely a blessing for us and for them." NBA EXPERIENCE The NBA games are being held at Sands Venetian property along with a five-day free-to-enter music, fashion and technology exhibition showcasing the NBA brand. Shaquille O'Neal is among NBA celebrities attending the event, the league said. The Brooklyn Nets, owned by Alibaba chairman Joseph Tsai, will play the Phoenix Suns at sold-out games in the arena. Sands owner, the U.S. billionaire Adelson family, also own the Texas-based NBA team, the Dallas Mavericks. The casino operator announced its collaboration with the NBA in December 2024 and said it wanted to bring elite basketball directly to Chinese fans. The announcement by Alibaba Group said it would provide artificial intelligence and cloud computing services with the NBA and enhance fan experiences on the NBA app in China. Alibaba Cloud will be the official cloud computing and AI partner of NBA China, it said. NON-GAMING SPEND TO GROW Macau's casinos, which include Sands, Wynn Macau, SJM Holdings, MGM China, Galaxy Entertainment and Melco Resorts, have been mandated to increase their non-gaming businesses as a proportion of their overall business. They have pledged to collectively invest more than $13.5 billion in non-gambling infrastructure and projects over the next decade. Macau is the only place in China where Chinese citizens are legally allowed to gamble in casinos. A Portuguese colony until 1999, its economy remains heavily reliant on the casino industry, which contributes around 80% of government tax revenues. Macau's non-gaming offerings have historically focused on retail and dining with a smattering of entertainment such as Melco's nightclubs, Galaxy's cinema and Sands themed European properties. Melco on Monday announced the opening of a hospital inside its Studio City resort. It said the medical facility was to support the government's aim to position Macau as a centre for international medical tourism. (Reporting by Joyce Zhou in Macau, Liam Mo in Beijing, Brenda Goh in Shanghai; Writing by Farah Master; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Kate Mayberry)

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By Rae Wee SINGAPORE (Reuters) -The dollar took a breather on Thursday after a strong run this week that has put it on track for its best performance in nearly a year, helped by a weak yen that has struggled amid a change of guard in Japan's ruling party. Markets this week have grappled with political risk in Japan and France alongside a lengthening U.S. government shutdown, all of which have done little to stoke confidence in investors, who have sought safety in assets such as gold. The yen has been whiplashed after hardline conservative Sanae Takaichi was picked as head of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, putting her on course to become the country's first female prime minister and fuelling bets of a revival in big spending and loose monetary policy. The Japanese currency was last a touch stronger at 152.55 per dollar, after having slid to an eight-month low of 153 per dollar overnight. It has fallen more than 3% for the week thus far, set for its worst performance since September 2024. "The increase in dollar/yen has been quite relentless, and it seems like nothing can stop it from rallying," said Carol Kong, a currency strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia. "In the near term, the confirmation of Takaichi as PM and the upcoming October BOJ meeting might be the next catalyst for further weakness in the Japanese yen, especially if Takaichi reinforces her dovish views on fiscal and monetary policy, and the BOJ signals that it may not raise interest rates in the near term." The euro has similarly been restrained by France's deepening political crisis following the shock resignation of Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu and his government, though President Emmanuel Macron is set to appoint a new prime minister in the next 48 hours, his office said on Wednesday. The single currency last traded 0.13% higher at $1.1644, reversing three straight days of losses, though it remains more than 0.8% down for the week thus far. The moves in the yen and the euro have in turn provided support for the dollar, which is up more than 1% for the week thus far and has kept other currencies subdued. Sterling rose 0.09% to $1.3416, after having touched a roughly two-week low in the previous session, while the Australian dollar was last up 0.33% at $0.6608. The New Zealand dollar languished near a six-month low and last bought $0.5803. It tumbled in the previous session as the Reserve Bank of New Zealand slashed interest rates by an aggressive 50 basis points. Policymakers signalled concerns about the frail state of the economy and kept the door open for further easing. Against a basket of currencies, the dollar was little changed at 98.73. Federal Reserve officials agreed at their recent policy meeting that risks to the U.S. job market had increased enough to warrant a rate cut, but remained wary of high inflation amid a debate about how much borrowing costs were weighing on the economy, minutes of their September meeting showed on Wednesday. "The Fed meeting minutes, as expected, really signalled caution by policymakers about future interest rate cuts," Kong said. "I think markets are still comfortable with pricing two more rate cuts by year-end. That's also our base case, and we didn't really see markets change their mind off the back of the minutes. We will have to wait and see new data, but that's not coming out until the government reopens." A prolonged U.S. government shutdown could leave the Fed flying blind at its October meeting as economic data is delayed. Still, investors continue to price in roughly 44 bps worth of easing by December this year. (Reporting by Rae Wee; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Kim Coghill)

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BEIJING (Reuters) -China tightened its rare earth export controls on Thursday, expanding restrictions on processing technology and spelling out its intention to limit exports to overseas defence and semiconductor users. The announcement from the Ministry of Commerce clarifies and expands sweeping controls announced in April that caused shortages around the world before a series of deals with Europe and the U.S. eased but did not eliminate the supply crunch. The controls are a major bargaining chip for China in its trade talks with the United States, and the tightening comes weeks ahead of a face-to-face meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in South Korea. "From a geostrategic perspective, this helps with increasing leverage for Beijing ahead of the anticipated Trump-Xi summit in Korea later this month," according to Tim Zhang, founder of Singapore-based Edge Research. China produces over 90% of the world's processed rare earths and rare earth magnets. The 17 rare earth elements are vital materials in products ranging from electric vehicles to aircraft engines and military radars. Restrictions on exporting the technology to make rare earth magnets will also be expanded to more types of magnets, and China will limit some components and assemblies that contain restricted magnets. China is the world leader in rare earth technology, and equipment to recycle rare earths will now require a licence to export, adding it to the long list of restricted processing technology. The commerce ministry's announcement clarified for the first time some of the targets of China's restrictions. Overseas defence users will not be granted licences, the ministry said, while applications related to advanced semiconductors will only be approved on a case-by-case basis. A day earlier U.S. lawmakers called for broader bans on the export of chipmaking equipment to China. Samsung Electronics declined to comment, and chipmakers TSMC and SK Hynix did not immediately respond to questions. China's rare earth shipments have been growing steadily over the past few months as Beijing granted more export licences, although some users still complain they are struggling to get them. In a nod to concerns about access, the ministry of commerce said the scope of items in its latest round of restrictions was limited and "a variety of licensing facilitation measures will be adopted." The new rules bar Chinese companies working with companies overseas on rare earths without permission from the ministry. Manufacturers overseas using any Chinese components or machinery must also apply for licences to export controlled items, the ministry said. (Reporting by Lewis Jackson in Beijing; Editing by Christian Schmollinger, Kate Mayberry and Tom Hogue)

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