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China has banned exports to the U.S. “of the critical minerals gallium, germanium and antimony that have widespread military applications” (Reuters). 
 
What’s going on: Announcement of the immediately effective rule came Tuesday, a day after the Biden administration added more than 100 Chinese companies to a U.S. restricted-trade list.  

• “A Chinese Commerce Ministry directive on dual-use items with both military and civilian applications cited national security concerns … [and] also requires stricter review of end-usage for graphite items shipped to the U.S.”  
• The new regulation strengthens existing rules by the Chinese government concerning critical mineral exports to the U.S. In recent months, Beijing has instituted and expanded restrictions on exports to the U.S. of tungsten, graphite and magnesium, all of which are needed to manufacture electronics.  

Why it’s important: “Gallium and germanium are used in semiconductors, while germanium is also used in infrared technology, fiber optic cables and solar cells.” 

• In 2023, China produced 48% of the world’s antimony, but its shipments of the element fell 97% in October following a September export crackdown. 
• Antimony is used in nuclear weapons, ammunition, batteries and photovoltaic equipment, among other indications.
• This year, China’s refined germanium and gallium production accounted for 59.2% and 98.8%, respectively, of global output.  

The NAM’s take: “This latest announcement from China is yet another reason why the U.S. needs to shore up domestic supply chains of these critical minerals by updating our broken and outdated permitting processes,” said NAM Director of Energy and Resources Policy Michael Davin. “Doing so is essential to American leadership in energy.”