China confirmed a trade framework with the US lifting curbs on rare earth exports while Washington ends punitive measures targeting Chinese firms.

China signaled it would approve the export of rare earth minerals in a statement Friday hours after White House officials said that the US and China had signed a trade agreement to work out tensions linked to US access to the key material.

China’s Commerce Ministry said on state media that it will “review and approve eligible export applications for controlled items in accordance with the law” in response to a question about rare earth materials.