China’s Export Ban on Gallium, Germanium, and Antimony to the US

In a dramatic escalation, China has just announced a formal ban on the export of key materials, gallium, germanium, and antimony, to the US, just one day after Washington announced tightening its restrictions on Beijing, especially on semiconductor.

These restrictions increase tensions between the two global superpowers, and the implications could be far reaching for industries reliant on these materials.

What Materials Does China’s Export Ban Affect?

China export controls gallium germanium, which are “dual-use items,” used for civilian and military purposes. These materials are key to a wide range of high-tech industries, including semiconductors, which power everything from smartphones to AI systems. Gallium is also used in fiber optic cables and solar cells, while germanium is used in telecommunications and military technologies.

Gallium germanium materials are of strategic importance, and China holds the lion’s share in global production. With 98.8% of refined gallium, 59.2% of refined germanium, China’s export controls on gallium and germanium have alarmed the industry globally.

With China export restrictions on gallium and germanium on the US in October, and drastically reducing its antimony exports by 97% since September, the US faces a disastrous situation in securing these materials, weaponizing the restrictions as a response to growing geopolitical tensions with the US.

The Biden Administration has been tightening its own export controls on critical technologies like semiconductors and advanced computer chips, used in military applications. China. in its own move, has outlined its actions as a necessary measure to protect national security interests and decrease reliance on foreign products.

In the past years, China increased investments to become technologically self-sufficiency, which has led to the development of alternative systems like HarmonyOS, Beidou Navigation Satellite System, and Huawei’s AI chips.

Once China’s restriction on gallium and germanium goes into action, US will need to look for alternative sources for these materials. However, this could be a painful and expensive process given the major role China has played in global production

Final Thoughts

As China bans export of gallium and germanium and continues to pursue technological self-reliance, its ability to develop domestic alternatives to Western technologies signals a major shift in the global tech landscape.

The export ban on critical materials like gallium, germanium, and antimony underscores China’s determination to reduce vulnerability to foreign sanctions and trade pressures.

This ongoing push for independence not only disrupts global supply chains but also accelerates the broader geopolitical and economic rivalry with the US. As both nations seek to assert dominance in technology and innovation, the world will watch closely to see how this high-stake competition shapes the future of global industries.

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