Beijing Temporarily Lifts Export Ban on Critical Minerals Amid Thaw in U.S.–China Trade Tensions
China-US Trade: China has temporarily lifted export restrictions on elements like gallium, germanium, and antimony to the US. This move is part of the recent trade agreement between the two countries. This decision is expected to thaw China-US relations in the technological and industrial sectors.
China has temporarily lifted export restrictions on elements such as gallium, germanium, and antimony for export to the US. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced this on Sunday.
A statement issued by the ministry stated that this decision is related to the partial suspension of control measures imposed on certain dual-use items, including industrial materials like gallium, germanium, and antimony. According to the ministry, this suspension will apply to the second paragraph of "Proclamation No. 46 (2024)" and will be effective from November 9, 2025, to November 27, 2026.
Previously, this clause prohibited the export of these industrial materials to the US, and graphite exports were subject to strict inspections. However, Clause 1 remains in effect, prohibiting the export of dual-use goods for U.S. military or military purposes.
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The Ministry of Commerce clarified that this temporary suspension applies only to the licensing and review restrictions of clause 2. In December last year, China warned that any organization or individual illegally exporting dual-use goods manufactured in China to US entities would face legal action.
Earlier this month, the US and China reached a significant trade and economic agreement. This agreement followed a meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Busan, South Korea.
Under this agreement, China agreed to suspend export restrictions on the export of rare minerals and other critical materials, remove retaliatory tariffs imposed on US products, and resume large-scale purchases of US soybeans, sorghum, and timber. Additionally, China will now allow Nexperia to resume business with its facilities in China and will end investigations into US companies involved in the semiconductor supply chain.
In return, the US has also agreed to take certain steps. It will reduce certain tariffs on Chinese imports related to fentanyl control by up to 10%. It will also extend the tariff exemptions granted under Section 301 until November 10th of next year.
