China suspends export prohibition on gallium, germanium, antimony, superhard materials to US

China will suspend its ban on exports of gallium, germanium, antimony and superhard materials to the US until November 27 2026, the country’s Ministry of Commerce (MOC) announced on Sunday November 9.

The ban was initially introduced in December 2024 and explicitly prohibited the export of gallium, germanium, antimony and superhard materials to the United States, while imposing stricter end-user scrutiny on graphite dual-use items exported to the country.

That component of the ban, however, has now been suspended, according to the MOC announcement.

But December’s announcement also included a direct prohibition on shipping dual-use items to US military users or military uses. Sunday’s announcement did not address that element of the measure, however.

The impact of the original ban was debated at the time, given that no direct exports of the controlled materials from China to US had been made since the first export controls on gallium and germanium, which were imposed in August 2023.

What other policies has the Chinese government announced?

In an announcement on November 5, China’s Ministry of Commerce said it would temporarily ease dual-use export restrictions on 31 US entities.

And on October 30, China’s MOC said it would suspend the implementation of the newest export control measures, announced on October 9, for one year, and would study and refine specific plans.

The export controls China announced on October 9 covered medium-heavy rare earths, production equipment and technology. Export controls were also announced on lithium-ion battery related items, cathode and anode material, as well as relevant technology and production equipment.

Those controls were due to take effect from Saturday November 8.

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