China ban exports of rare minerals to US

China has announced an immediate ban on exports of critical rare minerals to the United States, escalating a trade war already fraught with technological and economic disputes.

The move comes in response to U.S. restrictions on semiconductor exports to China, underscoring deepening tensions between the world’s two largest economies.

Gallium, germanium, antimony, and other rare minerals essential for military and high-tech applications are now restricted. Justifying the ban, the Chinese Commerce Ministry cited national security concerns, building on previous export controls introduced earlier this year.

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Beyond rare minerals, China has also blacklisted over 100 domestic chipmaking tool manufacturers and blocked certain software tools from reaching the U.S. market.

“China must protect its technological sovereignty,” said Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, during a heated press conference. “The United States is maliciously suppressing China’s technological progress. Let me reiterate that China firmly opposes the U.S.’s overstretching of the concept of national security, abusing export controls, and wantonly imposing illegal unilateral sanctions.”

Experts warn that the ban could disrupt global supply chains. China dominates 60% of global rare earth production and controls 85% of the world’s mineral processing capacity. “China’s overwhelming control of these resources is a critical geopolitical tool,” said Zhen Wei, a Beijing-based trade analyst. “This ban is a clear message that China will not allow itself to be cornered in the tech race.”

The United States has voiced concerns about the move. U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, who previously highlighted vulnerabilities in rare mineral supply chains, called the ban a “wake-up call” for diversification efforts. “China’s actions show just how much leverage they hold over the global tech and defense industries,” Granholm remarked at a recent energy summit.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo called the export ban “an aggressive step that threatens global technological advancement.” She added, “This isn’t just about minerals. It’s about global stability and the need for predictable trade practices. Yet, China’s actions align with their long-term strategy to dominate critical industries.”

China’s ban is widely seen as retaliation for the U.S.’s semiconductor restrictions. Some analysts also link the move to anticipated policy shifts under President-elect Donald Trump, who has signaled plans for increased tariffs and a harder stance on Chinese technology.

“China has been watching the U.S. very closely,” said Richard Collins, a Washington-based trade policy expert. “They’ve seen the rhetoric coming from the incoming administration, and this ban could be a preemptive measure.”

This is not China’s first export restriction this year. In August, Beijing curbed exports of antimony, a mineral vital for batteries and military applications, and imposed limits on graphite. Lin Jian suggested such measures are part of a broader strategy: “China will not hesitate to safeguard its national security and development interests.”

The tit-for-tat measures are fueling uncertainty in the global tech and defense sectors. “This isn’t just about minerals or semiconductors,” said Charlotte Lang, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “It’s about the future of global power dynamics. Both nations are using economic tools as weapons, and the rest of the world is caught in the crossfire.”

With no resolution in sight, the latest clash intensifies an already fraught relationship, leaving industries worldwide bracing for the fallout.