Overview
- Beijing’s Commerce Ministry suspended the U.S.-targeted ban on gallium, germanium and antimony effective immediately until November 27, 2026, and also eased checks on graphite-related items and other super-hard materials.
- The metals remain on China’s dual‑use control list, so exporters still need licenses, and the separate prohibition on exports for U.S. military end‑uses stays in force.
- The move follows the October 30 Xi–Trump meeting in South Korea and accompanies tariff suspensions and reported relaxations on some rare earths and lithium battery curbs.
- The White House described the step as part of a broader deal that includes general licenses for shipments to U.S. manufacturers, but China’s statement did not mention such licenses, creating a gap in how the changes are framed.
- Gallium and germanium are crucial for semiconductors, fiber optics and other advanced technologies, China produces the vast majority of global supply, and last year’s ban had already triggered shortages and costlier rerouting via third countries.