China has banned exports to the United States of goods related to the minerals gallium, germanium and antimony that have potential military applications, it said in a statement on Tuesday, a day after Washington imposed fresh sanctions on China’s chip sector.
The Commerce Ministry’s directive on dual-use goods that can be used for both military and civilian purposes cited national security concerns. The order, which took effect immediately, also requires stricter checks on the end-use of graphite goods shipped to the United States.
“In principle, exports of gallium, germanium, antimony and hard materials to the United States will not be allowed,” the Commerce Ministry said.
The ban strengthens enforcement of existing restrictions on exports of critical minerals that Beijing first introduced last year, but only apply to the US market, in another escalation of trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Chinese customs data showed no shipments of raw germanium or gallium to the US this year through October, even though the US was the fourth and fifth largest markets for the minerals last year.
Gallium and germanium are used in semiconductor manufacturing, while germanium is also used in infrared technology, fiber optic cables, and solar panels.
Similarly, shipments of total antimony products from China in October plunged 97% compared to September after Beijing’s move to limit its exports took effect.
China accounted for 48% of the antimony mined globally last year, which is used in bullets, infrared missiles, nuclear weapons, batteries, and other equipment.
This year, China accounted for 59.2% of refined germanium production and 98.8% of refined gallium production, according to consultancy Project Blue.
“This move is a significant escalation in supply chain tensions where access to raw material units is already tight in the West,” said Project Blue co-founder Jack Bedder.
China’s announcement came after Washington imposed its third round of sanctions in three years on China’s semiconductor industry on Monday, restricting exports to 140 companies, including chip equipment maker Naura Technology Group.
