Investors are hoping for an improvement in ties after the relief sparked by a preliminary deal agreed in Geneva last month gave way to fresh doubts when Washington accused Beijing of blocking exports that are critical to sectors including autos, aerospace, semiconductors and defense. White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said on Monday the U.S. was likely to agree to lift export controls on some semiconductors in return for China speeding up the delivery of rare earths. "The pause in tariff hostilities is a positive starting point as the U.S. seeks the restoration of rare earth mineral exports from China which would inevitably result in a mutual relaxation," Richard Hunter, head of markets at interactive investor, said in a morning note.