China Suspends Export Ban on Gallium, Germanium, and Antimony to U.S., Easing Trade Tensions

Introduction to the Policy Shift

China's Ministry of Commerce announced on Sunday, November 9, 2025, the suspension of its export ban on gallium, germanium, and antimony to the United States. This move, effective until November 27, 2026, marks a significant de-escalation in trade tensions between the world's two largest economies. The original ban, imposed in December 2024, was a retaliatory measure against U.S. export controls on high-bandwidth memory chips into China.

The decision to lift the ban follows a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump on October 30 in Busan, South Korea, where leaders agreed to walk back some punitive measures. While the outright ban is suspended, these critical minerals remain subject to broader export controls, requiring shippers to obtain licenses from Beijing. Exports to U.S. military users will continue to be restricted.

Strategic Importance of the Minerals

Gallium, germanium, and antimony are not classified as rare earth elements but are crucial for various high-tech industries and national security applications. China holds a dominant position in the global production of these materials:

• Gallium: China accounts for approximately 94 percent of the world's production, and 99 percent of refined gallium output. It is essential for integrated circuits, LEDs, photovoltaic panels, semiconductors, advanced radar technology, 5G networks, and satellite communications.
• Germanium: China makes up 83 percent of global production and nearly 60 percent of refined germanium production. It is vital for fiber optics, infrared technology, solar cells, and semiconductors.
• Antimony: China accounted for almost half of the world's mined antimony in 2023. This mineral is used in battery technology, flame retardants, and military applications such as reinforcing armor plating and ammunition.

The U.S. considers all three minerals critical to its national security and economy. The initial ban was estimated by the U.S. Geological Survey to potentially result in a $3.4 billion hit to the U.S. economy from gallium and germanium alone, with half of that impact affecting the semiconductor sector.

Broader Context of Trade Relations

The suspension of the export ban is part of a broader effort to ease trade tensions. Prior to this announcement, China had already rolled back additional restrictions on rare earth elements, lithium battery materials, and processing technologies that were introduced in early October. Furthermore, Beijing has eased restrictions on exports of graphite-related products, which were also subject to controls on dual-use goods.

The U.S. has also made concessions, including a 10 percent tariff reduction on Chinese imports and a two-year postponement of entity-list sanctions against Chinese subsidiaries. This series of actions indicates a mutual desire to stabilize trade relations and reopen communication channels between key economic agencies, providing temporary relief to industries dependent on these critical raw materials.