AsianFin -- China has imposed new export restrictions on key electric vehicle (EV) battery technologies, intensifying efforts to consolidate its leadership in the global EV supply chain amid rising geopolitical and trade tensions.

Several advanced technologies related to EV battery production and lithium processing—a crucial mineral for energy storage—were added to Beijing’s export control list, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.

The move means any transfer of these technologies abroad, whether through trade, investment, or tech collaboration, will now require government approval.

The latest restrictions echo similar curbs China introduced just three months ago on select rare earth elements and high-performance magnets, which are essential not only for EVs, but also for consumer electronics and defense equipment such as fighter jets. As global competition for clean tech intensifies, China’s grip on critical mineral and battery supply chains is increasingly viewed as a powerful leverage point in its strategic rivalry with the U.S.