China Bans Export of Critical Minerals in Response to Latest US Chip Curbs
One day after the U.S. published a new set of semiconductor-related export controls aimed at China (see 2412020016), Beijing announced a ban on certain key critical minerals and other dual-use items being shipped to the U.S. for military uses.
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The ban will “prohibit the export of dual-use items to U.S. military users or for military purposes,” China’s Ministry of Commerce said, specifically naming gallium, germanium, antimony and “superhard materials.” Beijing also will put in place “stricter end-user and end-use reviews” for exports of other dual-use items destined to the U.S., such as graphite, according to an unofficial translation of a Dec. 3 notice.
“Any organization or individual from any country or region that violates the above provisions and transfers or provides relevant dual-use items originating in the People's Republic of China to organizations or individuals in the United States will be held accountable according to law,” China said. The restrictions took effect Dec. 3.
Beijing has previously announced restrictions on exports of gallium, germanium, antimony and other critical minerals (see 2307050018, 2310030035, 2408090012 and 2408150022), some of which can be used to make semiconductors, batteries and weapons. The country also released its dual-use export control regulations and export control list earlier this year, which took effect Dec. 1 (see 2410210042 and 2411150014).
China said it has “lodged serious protests with the U.S.” over its new chip export controls, which introduced new licensing requirements for certain semiconductor manufacturing equipment and added more than 100 Chinese companies to the Bureau of Industry and Security Entity List. The U.S. is “maliciously suppressing China’s technology progress,” a ministry spokesperson said during a Dec. 3 regular press conference.
The spokesperson added that the controls “gravely disrupt the international economic and trade order” and damage global supply chains. “China calls on the U.S. to respect the laws of market economy and the principle of fair competition,” the spokesperson said, in response to a question from an Agence France-Presse reporter. “We will do what is necessary to firmly safeguard our security and development interests.”