MP Materials has announced plans to expand rare earth mining and processing operations as Washington seeks to end its dependence on Chinese supplies.

Low environmental standards helped China become the world’s low-cost producer of rare earths, but Beijing was also focused on helping the industry.

China urged the European Parliament to stop politicizing trade and economic issues and applying double standards on export controls, its mission to the European Union said on Friday. The remarks were in response to a motion approved by EU lawmakers on Thursday condemning Beijing over its export restrictions on rare earths.