China announced this Tuesday that it will restrict exports to the United States of gallium, germanium, antimony and graphite, key metals for the manufacture of semiconductors or batteries, among others, for both civil and military use.
The measure, which takes effect today, comes after Washington announced new technological restrictions against China to curb its ability to develop advanced microchips, something that Beijing denounced as “an act of economic coercion.”
The Ministry of Commerce indicated in a statement that it will prohibit the export of gallium, germanium or antimony with “dual civil and military use”, while they will be “stricter” with the export of graphite. The ministry assures that it is taking the measure “in order to protect the security and interests of China” and “comply with international obligations such as non-proliferation.”
“Any organization or individual from any country or region that violates the above provisions and transfers or provides dual-use items originating in the People’s Republic of China to organizations or individuals in the United States will be liable under the law,” the note adds.
“The US has seriously undermined the legitimate rights and interests of these companies”
A Ministry spokesperson noted that, in recent years, the United States has “politicized the use of concepts such as national security to restrict the export of products to China,” in addition to “including Chinese companies on the sanctions list in order to repress them.”
“The United States has seriously undermined the legitimate rights and interests of these companies, as well as the stability of global industrial and supply chains,” it states.
In July, China had already announced general restrictions on the export of gallium and germanium, two key metals for the manufacture of semiconductors, a product that is at the center of trade and technological tensions between Beijing and the West, especially the United States. China is the world’s largest producer of both elements, with more than 95% of gallium production and 67% of germanium production.
Antimony, key to making batteries
Shortly after, in August, it announced the imposition of restrictions on the export of antimony, a metal used in various industrial sectors such as the manufacture of batteries and flame retardants, and other strategic elements and, in October, adjustments to its control policies. export related to graphite products in pursuit of “national security”.
The Asian giant, as the world’s main producer of this element, controls a significant portion of the global market. These new restrictions are added to a series of similar measures implemented by the Asian giant in recent months, such as the ban on exporting technology to manufacture rare earth magnets.
