China hits US with ban on critical minerals used in tech manufacturing
China has immediately retaliated against the US following new export curbs that the Biden administration announced Monday, which restrict a wider range of Chinese businesses from accessing any foreign products that include even a single US-made chip.
On Tuesday, China's Ministry of Commerce punched back, announcing a ban that takes effect immediately on "exports of 'dual-use items' related to gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials to the US," Reuters reported. Such "dual-use items" cover goods and technologies used for civil or military purposes, while the rare-earth metals are critical to tech manufacturing.
"In principle, the export of gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials to the United States shall not be permitted," China's ministry said.