DAILY CALLER NEWS FOUNDATION—China announced Tuesday that it is banning exports to the U.S. of some metals and rare minerals that can be used in the production of semiconductors and ammunition, according to the Financial Times.
China’s Ministry of Commerce announced that it is banning exports of “dual-use” items related to germanium, gallium, antimony, and superhard materials to the U.S. in retaliation against the U.S. government’s latest trade restrictions, according to the Financial Times. The ministry also announced that it is placing more rigid controls on exports of graphite-related items, it reported.
The key minerals and metals are used in the production of a variety of items, including batteries, military hardware, and semiconductors, according to the Financial Times. Beijing has largely dominated the global supply of various crucial resources, it reported. Researchers estimated there could be a $3.4 billion decrease in U.S. gross domestic product if China implements a total ban on exports of germanium and gallium, minerals used in some semiconductors and other high-tech manufacturing, according to a November report from the U.S. Geological Survey.
China’s decision comes after the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security announced on Monday new restrictions designed to curb the People’s Republic of China’s capacity to produce advanced semiconductors that can be used in weapon systems, artificial intelligence, and computing.
“The U.S. has broadened the concept of national security, politicizing and weaponizing trade and technology issues, and abused export-control measures,” China’s Commerce Ministry said in a statement, adding, according to the Financial Times, “To safeguard national security … China has decided to strengthen export controls on dual-use items to the U.S.”
President-elect Donald Trump has proposed implementing massive tariffs on imported goods when he returns to the Oval Office, including on goods imported from China. Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the president-elect at his residence in Mar-a-Lago in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday after Trump threatened in November to impose a 25% tariff on all products from Canada and Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum signaled that she would retaliate if Trump imposes sweeping tariffs on Mexico.
The president-elect said Monday he would impose a 10% tariff on Chinese goods so that Beijing does more to stop the trafficking of Chinese-made chemicals used in fentanyl, according to Reuters. China criticized Trump’s tariff threats, saying U.S. tariffs will not solve America’s problems, Reuters reported.
The U.S. has been engaged in an ongoing tech war with China in an effort to gain the upper hand in the production of advanced technology. China in August announced plans to enact export restrictions on antimony, a mineral that is critical for producing certain weapons.
