China's Global Times report on fall in rare earth shipments

China's Global Times press on an item in the trade balance data.

• China exported 3,640 tons of rare earths in May
• down 16% compared with April

GT dropping the hint/threat as to what this might be all about:

• The export fall arrives as China is considering controlling rare-earth exports to preserve resource advantages.

I was wondering if maybe there was some seasonality involved but given they are citing a y/y reduction maybe not? Rare earths have become 9once again) a bargaining chip in the trade dispute.