China retaliates against US export controls with bans on critical materials | Exports of gallium, germanium, antimony, and super-hard materials are affected

From the article: China imposed export controls on gallium and germanium in 2023, two metals that are vital parts of the semiconductor, telecommunications, and electric vehicle industries. Exporters need to apply for licenses from the commerce ministry if they want to ship them out of the country. In August 2024, China introduced the same limits on antimony, a metal used in batteries and photovoltaic equipment, as well as military applications such as ammunition, infrared missiles, nuclear weapons and night vision goggles.

The new ban strengthens existing limits on these exports, but they only apply to the US. China is also requiring stricter reviews of end-users and end-uses for exports of graphite, a critical component of electric vehicle batteries.

The newly announced limits also cover super-hard materials, such as diamonds and other synthetic materials that are not compressible and extremely dense, reports AP. These are used in cutting tools, disc brakes and protective coatings.

“To safeguard national security interests and fulfil international obligations such as non-proliferation, China has decided to strengthen export controls on relevant dual-use items to the United States,” China’s Commerce Ministry said.

China accounts for 94% of the world’s production of gallium, and 83% of germanium. Exports of the two materials from China to the US had fallen to zero following the introduction of restrictions last year.

2 months later: 20 trillion tons of unobtanium discovered in Bumfuck, Kansas