China’s export ban on US materials now affects three key minerals. Beijing has blocked these exports to the United States in direct retaliation against trade restrictions. The new ban starts right away. It stops exports of gallium, germanium, and antimony, which are needed for making semiconductors, military equipment, and advanced technology.
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China’s Retaliation: How Gallium, Germanium, & Rare Earth Export Bans Affect US Materials
Strategic Materials Under Ban
The Commerce Ministry says China’s export ban on our materials protects national security. It blocks minerals used for both military and civilian purposes. The germanium export ban affects many industries, including computer chips, fiber optic cables, and solar cells. China holds most of the market. It makes 59.2% of the world’s germanium and 98.8% of its gallium. China’s decision to ban exports of critical materials to the US has significant repercussions.
Market Impact and Supply Chain Disruption
The gallium export ban has shaken markets worldwide. Antimony prices jumped 228% in 2024. They now cost $39,000 per metric ton. Chinese trade records show no germanium or gallium shipped to the U.S. through October. This matters because the U.S. used to be a top buyer of both materials. A combination of China’s export ban and U.S. material needs stirs significant market shifts.
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US Response and Alternative Sourcing
“China has been signaling for some time that it’s willing to take these steps, so when is the U.S. going to learn its lesson?” states Todd Malan of Talon Metals. The U.S. is looking for other suppliers. It works with the EU and 15 more countries in the Minerals Security Partnership. At home, it’s opening new antimony mines in Idaho. It’s also digging for minerals in Wyoming, Montana, and Nevada. The ban on materials exported by China impacts the US greatly, prompting new resource strategies.
Escalating Trade Tensions and Future Outlook
The China export ban on materials follows new U.S. rules against 140 Chinese tech companies. Experts think more restrictions will come. President-elect Trump wants 10% tariffs on Chinese goods. He threatens to raise them to 60%. “It’s a trade war that has no winners,” says Peter Arkell from the Global Mining Association of China. The ban might grow to include more materials. Experts point to tungsten, magnesium, and aluminum alloys as likely next targets. This ongoing ban negatively affects US access to key materials.
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