Shares of Australia's Lynas Rare Earths climbed on Thursday to their highest point in more than two years, after global automakers warned that China's export restrictions on rare-earth materials could lead to production delays.

China has stopped almost all shipments of critical minerals that are needed for cars, robots, wind turbines, jet fighters and other technologies.

Options include moving car part manufacturing to China despite tariffs, or just slowing down the push for electric vehicles.