Beijing, November 10: China has suspended a ban on approving exports of several critical minerals and materials to the United States, its Commerce Ministry said on Sunday, in a move that signals a further easing of trade restrictions between the world’s two largest economies.
The suspension applies to exports of “dual-use items” related to gallium, germanium, antimony, and super-hard materials, and will remain in effect from November 9, 2025, to November 27, 2026, the ministry said in a statement. Beijing also suspended stricter end-user and end-use checks for exports of dual-use graphite to the United States, which were announced alongside the original ban in December 2024.
The decision comes two days after China lifted certain export controls introduced on October 9, including expanded curbs on rare earth elements and lithium battery materials, in what analysts see as a coordinated effort to stabilize supply chains and ease bilateral tensions.
The ministry did not specify whether the suspension would be extended beyond next year but said the measure was aimed at supporting “global industrial stability.”
The move follows a broader trade understanding between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump, who agreed earlier this month to reduce tariffs and pause additional trade measures for a year, marking a cautious thaw in economic relations.
Gallium, germanium, and antimony are key inputs for semiconductors, defense applications, and high-tech manufacturing, sectors that have been at the center of escalating trade and technology disputes between Washington and Beijing.
Analysts say China’s decision could help ease pressure on global electronics and battery supply chains that have faced volatility amid export restrictions and geopolitical uncertainty.
