In a move that could potentially help ease the escalating trade tensions between China and the United States, the Chinese government has reportedly approved a certain number of rare earth export licenses. This development comes ahead of the highly anticipated US-China trade talks, which are expected to take place in the near future. The approval of these export licenses is seen as a significant step towards de-escalating the tensions between the two nations, as rare earth minerals are a crucial component in the production of high-tech electronics and other advanced materials. The Chinese government's decision to approve these export licenses is likely to be seen as a gesture of goodwill towards the US, and could potentially pave the way for further ATLs in the coming weeks and months. However, it remains to be seen whether this move will be enough to ease the tensions between the two nations, or if further action will be needed to resolve the ongoing trade dispute.