China is willing to accelerate the examination and approval of rare earth exports to European Union firms and will also deliver a verdict on its trade investigation of EU brandy imports by July 5, its commerce ministry said on Saturday.

Beijing has approved more export licenses for the critical minerals and magnets in recent days, but supplies remain scarce and factories in the West are running out.

Beijing has approved some rare earth export applications, potentially easing tensions before US-China trade talks. The commerce ministry confirmed the approvals, noting growing demand in robotics and electric vehicles,