China has officially halted exports of gallium, germanium, and antimony to the United States this week. While gallium and germanium exports were already suspended in October, antimony exports have plummeted by 97% since September. This announcement closely follows the U.S.’s decision to tighten restrictions on technology exports to China, particularly in the semiconductor sector.
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The export restrictions target materials classified as “dual-use items,” meaning they have both civilian and military applications, according to Reuters. The ban also introduces stricter reviews for graphite exports to the U.S., though graphite is not yet entirely prohibited.
Gallium and germanium are critical for manufacturing semiconductors, with germanium also used in fibre optics and solar cells. Antimony, on the other hand, plays a role in producing items such as shotgun shells, night vision goggles, certain batteries, and even nuclear weapons.
These export bans are particularly impactful due to China’s dominance in global production. The country accounts for 48% of the world’s mined antimony, 59.2% of refined germanium, and a staggering 98.8% of refined gallium. With these resources now cut off, the U.S. faces the urgent task of finding alternative suppliers or deposits. The bans have already sent prices soaring—antimony trioxide, for instance, has risen 228% in cost since the start of the year.
China’s actions reflect its broader push for technological self-reliance in response to U.S. export restrictions. These efforts have led to the development of domestic innovations such as Huawei’s advanced chips, the HarmonyOS operating system, and the Beidou Navigation Satellite System, reducing dependence on foreign technologies.
The escalating restrictions highlight the growing technological and economic tensions between the two nations, with each side manoeuvring to safeguard its strategic interests in a highly interconnected global market.
