The government has proposed adding various technologies- some used for lithium refining and battery chemicals production — to its list of items that are subject to export controls, according to a notice seeking public opinion from the Ministry of Commerce on Thursday.

China's Ministry of Commerce is taking comment on a plan that would extend export restrictions to technology tied to the production of electric vehicle

China hopes it's found its leverage in the tech war with Washington. The country holds a dominant position in the processing of critical minerals like gallium and lithium. Chinese companies like battery giant CATL have also emerged as key suppliers to automakers around the world.