The Commerce Ministry on Sunday defended Beijing's export control measures on rare earths and related items as a legitimate action, while urging the United States to properly manage differences through dialogue and on the basis of mutual respect and equal-footed consultation.

A spokesperson for the ministry said China, as a responsible major country, employs export controls on related items according to the law, in order to better defend world peace and regional stability, and to fulfil non-proliferation and other international obligations.

"China's export controls are not export bans," said the spokesperson, adding that licences would be granted for eligible applications.

Before the measures were announced, China had already notified relevant countries and regions through bilateral export control dialogue mechanisms, the spokesperson noted.

The ministry said China stands ready to work with the rest of the world to step up export control dialogue and exchange, so as to better safeguard the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains.

US President Donald Trump announced an additional 100 percent tariff on China on Friday, reigniting his trade war with Beijing in a row over export curbs on rare earth minerals. (Xinhua/AFP)