Beijing said on Thursday it had issued a "certain number" of licences to export rare earths after US President Donald Trump hailed this week's deal that would see China provide the vital elements "up front".

The economic superpowers said after talks in London that they had achieved progress in dialling down a trade war.

China – which dominates global production of the elements – began requiring export licences in early April.

The US president said on Wednesday on social media that "full magnets, and any necessary rare earths, will be supplied, up front, by China" as part of the deal, which was now "done".

The commerce ministry said on Thursday that "China, as a responsible major country, fully takes into account the legitimate needs and concerns of all countries in the civilian sector" related to rare earths.

"It reviews export licence applications for rare earth-related items in accordance with laws and regulations," spokesman He Yadong told a news conference, adding that a "certain number of compliant applications have already been approved".

He added that China will continue enhancing its review of compliant applications, and is ready to enhance communication and dialogue on export controls with relevant countries to facilitate compliant trade, Xinhua News Agency reported. (AFP)