NextFin news, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced on November 9, 2025, the lifting of the export ban it had imposed since December 2024 on three critical metals—gallium, germanium, and antimony—that are essential inputs in semiconductor manufacturing and other advanced electronics. This decision, applicable until November 27, 2026, comes shortly after the October 30 summit in South Korea where U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a landmark trade agreement aimed at easing tariffs and lifting other trade restrictions for a one-year period.
These metals are fundamental to the U.S. technology sector, especially for producing semiconductors critical for both civilian electronics and military applications. The export ban had raised concerns about supply chain disruptions and potential impacts on national security and technological competitiveness. The announcement by China rescinding export controls marks a significant de-escalation in trade tensions and an effort to stabilize bilateral economic ties amid a delicate geopolitical climate.
Underlying this policy reversal is the complex interplay between competition and cooperation in U.S.-China relations under the Trump administration. While President Trump has pursued aggressive trade policies including tariffs, the recent summit highlights a strategic recalibration by both powers to avoid prolonged supply chain fragmentation.
From an industrial standpoint, China remains the dominant global supplier, controlling roughly 60% of rare earth and critical metal outputs, which positions it as a pivotal actor in the global technology supply chain. This dominance has historically given Beijing leverage to enact export restrictions during diplomatic disputes or trade conflicts, as seen previously in 2024 and earlier years.
The temporary lifting of export restrictions is significant for manufacturers in the semiconductor, electronics, and defense sectors in the U.S., as gallium and germanium are indispensable for advanced transistor production, fiber optics, and infrared optics. Likewise, antimony is vital in flame retardants and ammunition components. The renewed access reduces immediate risks of production bottlenecks and cost inflation, which could have ripple effects on broader tech supply chains.
However, this development also shines a spotlight on the inherent risks of supply chain dependence on China for critical materials. The export ban last year exposed how geopolitical frictions can disrupt the flow of essential resources, triggering urgent calls within Washington and industry circles for diversification and domestic capacity building.
Quantitatively, U.S. reliance on Chinese supply chains for these metals runs into thousands of tons annually, with gallium and germanium production largely concentrated in China. The International Energy Agency and other analysts have projected the demand for such metals to surge exponentially over the next decade, driven by clean energy technologies, electric vehicles, and next-generation electronics.
Analysts argue that despite the ban’s lifting, strategic vulnerabilities persist. There is renewed impetus for the U.S. government and private sector to accelerate alternative sourcing strategies, invest in mining and refining capabilities domestically or with allied countries, and develop recycling technologies to reduce import dependence. The forward-looking trade pact between Trump and Xi may temporarily ease tensions, but the structural challenges of supply chain resilience and geopolitical risk remain critical to address.
In conclusion, China’s lifting of the export ban on gallium, germanium, and antimony to the United States represents a pragmatic pause in trade hostilities, synchronizing with the broader diplomatic efforts to manage economic friction under the Trump administration. While it alleviates immediate supply risks for critical high-tech industries, it also reinforces the strategic imperative for the U.S. to diversify its critical mineral supply base to safeguard technological sovereignty and national security in an increasingly contested global environment.
According to official statements from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and corroborated by Reuters, this suspension is valid through late November 2026, providing a window for both nations to negotiate longer-term frameworks for trade stability. This development also aligns with U.S. administration efforts to balance confrontation with cooperation in managing the complex bilateral relationship with China.
