China has banned exports of materials related to gallium, germanium, and antimony to the U.S., citing their potential military applications.
The announcement came on Tuesday, a day after the latest U.S. crackdown on China’s chip sector.
Beijing’s new directive, which takes immediate effect, restricts exports of dual-use items with both military and civilian applications, citing national security concerns, according to Reuters.
It also mandates stricter reviews of end-usage for graphite items shipped to the U.S.
“In principle, the export of gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials to the United States shall not be permitted,” the ministry said.
The new restrictions build on existing limits on critical mineral exports that Beijing introduced last year, but they apply solely to the U.S.
This escalation in trade tensions comes ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
According to Chinese customs data, there have been no shipments of wrought or unwrought germanium or gallium to the U.S. this year through October, despite the U.S. being the fourth and fifth-largest market for these minerals last year.
Gallium and germanium are used in semiconductors, while germanium also has applications in infrared technology, fiber optic cables, and solar cells.
