China has decided to postpone for one year its export control measures on dual-use materials to the United States. Dual-use materials are items that can be used for both military and civilian purposes, including ▲ gallium ▲ germanium ▲ antimony ▲ graphite.
On the 9th, China's Ministry of Commerce said it would suspend until Nov. 27 next year the implementation of Article 2 of the notice released in Dec. on strengthening export controls to the United States on dual-use materials.
This article stipulates that "in principle, exports to the United States of dual-use materials related to gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials are not permitted," and that "exports to the United States of dual-use graphite will be subject to stricter end-user and end-use reviews."
China, which effectively monopolizes the global supply of these minerals, previously imposed export controls on items related to gallium and germanium starting in Aug. 2023 and on graphite starting in Dec. Unlike when it previously created export control lists or released control measures with the caveat that they were "not aimed at any specific country," this article unusually specifies the United States as the target.
The two countries, which had been engaging in tit-for-tat tariff retaliation this year, took a breather after last month's meeting between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping, announcing measures such as additional tariff pauses and deferments of rare earth export controls. However, despite the announcement that day, Article 1 of the notice, which says "exports of dual-use items to the United States for military users or military purposes are prohibited," is expected to remain unchanged.