Speculation is rife that China could use its dominant position as an exporter of rare earths to the U.S. as leverage in the ongoing trade war.

On Thursday, China’s commerce ministry stated, Beijing is willing to meet reasonable demand for rare earths from countries, but it would not be acceptable that those countries who use Chinese rare earths to manufacture products turn around and suppress China.

Gao Feng, spokesman for China’s commerce ministry, stated the above at a weekly media briefing on without identifying any country.

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to a rare earths plant last week sparked speculation that China could use its dominant position as an exporter of rare earths to the United States as leverage in the trade war.

Rare earths are a group of 17 chemical elements used in everything from high-tech consumer electronics to military equipment.