Weekend – China suspends export ban on gallium, germanium and other critical metals to US

China has suspended its export restrictions on key strategic metals used in semiconductors and defense technologies, easing a year-long ban that had targeted shipments to the United States.

News from Sunday, in brief:

• China’s Ministry of Commerce announced Sunday that it would temporarily lift its ban on approving exports of “dual-use items” related to gallium, germanium, antimony, and super-hard materials. The suspension, effective immediately, will remain in place until November 27, 2026.

China had originally imposed the export controls in December 2024, citing national security concerns.

Beijing also said it is pausing stricter end-user and end-use checks on dual-use graphite exports to the U.S., which were introduced at the same time as the original ban.

The latest move follows a similar announcement on Friday, when China suspended additional export controls imposed in October on certain rare earth elements and lithium battery materials.

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These metals are vital for semiconductor manufacturing, military electronics, and renewable technologies.

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China’s suspension of critical metal export bans may ease global supply concerns for chipmakers and defense industries, signalling a possible easing in U.S.-China trade frictions.