Insignia Consultants | China expands critical mineral export controls after US imposes tariffs
China expands critical mineral export controls after US imposes tariffs
BEIJING, Feb 4 (Reuters) - China announced export restrictions on Tuesday on five metals used across defence, clean energy and other industries minutes after an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump came into effect.
The restrictions are the latest attempt by China since 2023 to leverage its dominance in the mining and processing of critical minerals used in everything from smartphones and electric car batteries to infrared missiles and ammunition.
However, the new rules stop short of outright export bans, which China has previously used against the United States, in a continuation of Beijing's more measured response to the latest round of trade tensions with Washington.
Licences will now be required to export tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, indium, molybdenum and related products to "safeguard national security interests", the Commerce Ministry said on Tuesday. Their uses range from solar panels to artillery shells.
