China to Ban Critical Mineral Exports to US

The ban on exports of germanium, gallium to the U.S. market comes a day after Washington tightened restrictions on Beijing’s access to advanced semiconductors.

Graphite powder (L), which are used to make lithium-ion batteries, is displayed in the showroom at the Z Site production center of Chinese EV battery maker CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited) in Ningde, in southeast China's Fujian Province, on Nov. 15, 2024. Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images

China will further tighten the export of several critical minerals destined for the United States, the commerce ministry announced on Dec. 3, a day after Washington tightened restrictions on Beijing’s access to advanced semiconductors. 

“In principle, the export of dual-use items related to gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials to the United States shall not be permitted,” China’s commerce ministry said in a statement.