China yesterday banned the export of specific rare minerals to the US that are used for technology and military applications, citing national security concerns. The decision came a day after the US expanded its restricted-trade list of Chinese companies for certain types of chips and reflects an escalating tech rivalry between the world's two largest economies.
The banned minerals include gallium, germanium, antimony, and other elements needed for manufacturing advanced technologies like semiconductors. China accounts for roughly 63% of US antimony imports, 54% of germanium imports, and 53% of gallium imports. China is also the world's largest producer of all three elements, particularly gallium. Gallium and germanium are used to produce things like mobile phones, solar panels, fiber optic cables, and infrared technology, while antimony is used in flame retardants, batteries, and nuclear weapons.
Trade tensions between the US and China have been rooted in national security concerns, a battle for technological leadership, and more. See an overview of the US-China trade relationship here.
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