Critical minerals are banned from the US.

China has banned the export of products related to gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials with potential military applications to the US. The decision, which will take effect immediately, will also tighten controls on products classified as “dual-use” (products or materials that have both civilian and military applications). “In principle, gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials will not be allowed to be exported to the US,” the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.
China had already imposed restrictions on the export of these minerals last year. The new decision strengthens these restrictions. According to Chinese customs data, no processed or unprocessed germanium or gallium were shipped from China to the US as of October this year, despite being the fourth and fifth largest markets for these minerals, respectively, a year ago.
THE US HAS ANNOUNCED NEW SANCTIONS ON CHINA
The US has announced new sanctions on China, as expected shortly. The third major export restriction was aimed at limiting China’s ability to design and manufacture advanced semiconductors. Following this decision, China announced that it was banning the export of critical minerals, which are vital for high-tech products, to the US.
CRITICAL MINERALS ARE BANNED
China has banned the export of products related to gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials, which have potential military applications, to the US. The decision, which will go into effect immediately, will also tighten controls on products classified as “dual-use” (products or materials that have both civilian and military applications). The Chinese Ministry of Commerce said in a statement, “In principle, gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials will not be allowed to be exported to the US.”
China had already imposed some restrictions on the export of these minerals last year. The new decision strengthens these restrictions. According to Chinese customs data, no processed or unprocessed germanium or gallium were shipped from China to the United States through October this year, despite being the fourth and fifth largest markets for the minerals, respectively, a year ago.
NEW SANCTIONS FROM THE US ON CHINA
Gallium and germanium are used in semiconductors, while germanium is also used in infrared technology, fiber optic cables, and solar cells. China has also reduced its shipments of antimony by 97 percent. China accounts for 48 percent of global production of antimony, which is used in ammunition, infrared missiles, nuclear weapons and night vision goggles, as well as batteries and photovoltaic equipment. Any shipments to the United States of graphite, a common material used in battery and fuel cell manufacturing and in the defense and aerospace sectors, will also face a more in-depth review, the statement said.
The United States imposed trade restrictions on 140 more companies, including chip equipment maker Naura Technology Group, on Monday in its third major move in three years to slow China's semiconductor industry.