China shuts US out of critical minerals trade in reply to new tech curbs

China is prohibiting exports to the US of minerals crucial to tech production, with heavy restrictions on graphite

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China will limit its exports of critical minerals to the United States, the Ministry of Commerce has announced. Photo: Reuters

Ji Siqiin BeijingandFrank Chenin Shanghai

Published: 4:21pm, 3 Dec 2024Updated: 7:43pm, 3 Dec 2024

China announced it would restrict its exports of minerals crucial to the tech trade to the United States on Tuesday – one day after Washington unveiled new restrictions intended to limit Beijing’s footprint in advanced semiconductors – as both countries leverage their comparative advantages to come out on top in the invaluable sector.

In a notice on Tuesday, the Ministry of Commerce said it has banned the export of items categorised as “dual-use” – products or materials which carry both civilian and military applications – to any US military end users.

Effective immediately, the move prohibits “in principle” all exports to the US of gallium, germanium, antimony and superhard materials – essential elements in military and technological production.

For graphite – a substance used to make batteries and fuel cells, and a common material in the defence and aerospace sectors – any shipment to the US will undergo more stringent review of its intended use, according to the notice.

China is the primary producer of natural graphite, providing an estimated 77 per cent of the global supply in 2023, according to the US Geological Survey. It was followed by Madagascar with a share of 6.25 per cent.

The ministry said the measure is in line with China’s export control law, safeguards national security and fulfils international non-proliferation obligations.