China announced Monday it added MP Materials, USA Rare Earth, as well as eight ​other U.S. entities, which it claimed are linked to the U.S. military, to its export control list in ⁠retaliation for Washington placing several ⁠Chinese companies under restrictions this month.

Aveox, a motor manufacturer for mission-critical applications, was also among those placed on the list, ​which halts Chinese dual-use exports to the companies.

Pentagon-backed ​MP Materials, ⁠which operates the only active rare earth mine in the U.S., and USA Rare Earth are both involved in the mine-to-magnet supply chain.

The three U.S. companies were not available for comment outside of business hours.

The measures are a response to the "U.S. government's malicious practice" and were taken to safeguard national security and interests, as well as to fulfil international obligations such as non-proliferation, China's Commerce Ministry said in a statement on Monday.