AsianFin -- Tesla's plans to ramp up production of its humanoid robot, Optimus, have been hindered by China’s recent restrictions on rare earth exports, introduced earlier this month amid rising trade tensions with the U.S.

On Tesla’s earnings call Tuesday, CEO Elon Musk acknowledged delays due to what he called a “magnet issue,” referencing the rare earth materials essential to electric motors. While exporters face weeks of disruption navigating new licensing requirements, Tesla has become one of the most prominent companies to publicly cite the curbs as a direct setback.