China, the world’s leading producer of gallium and germanium, announced new export controls on these critical materials used primarily in the semiconductor industry. The restrictions came in response to trade war escalations with the US and Europe, following moves to limit China’s access to vital chipmaking technology. The new rules will require Chinese companies to obtain an export license for these metals, marking a significant change in the dynamics of global technology manufacturing.

Gallium and germanium are two critical materials used extensively in high-tech industries. They are typically extracted as byproducts from the processing of other minerals. Gallium is primarily extracted during the refining of bauxite, an aluminum ore, and to a lesser extent, from sphalerite, a zinc ore. Germanium is also primarily derived from zinc ore, in addition to coal and silver ores.