The Chinese Commerce Ministry announced a ban on exports of gallium, germanium, antimony and other key high-tech materials to the United States, effective immediately, in response to recent chip sanctions, reported The Associated Press.
In its latest move, the U.S. Commerce Department added 140 companies to a so-called “entity list” subject to strict export controls on computer chip-making equipment, software and high-bandwidth memory chips. Nearly all of the companies affected by the latest trade restrictions are based in China, though some are Chinese-owned businesses in Japan, South Korea and Singapore.
Both governments say their respective export controls are needed for national security.
The U.S. gets about half its supply of both gallium and germanium metals directly from China, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. China exported about 23 metric tons (25 tons) of gallium in 2022 and produces about 600 metric tons (660 tons) of germanium per year.
Source: AP