The United States says it opposes China’s restrictions on mineral exports and will consult with allies

A US Commerce Department spokesperson said Wednesday that the United States “strongly opposes” China’s stated export controls on gallium, germanium, and metals needed to produce semiconductors and other electronics, adding that Washington will consult with its partners and allies. to address this issue.

Earlier this week, China imposed export controls on gallium and germanium products, which are used in electric vehicles (EVs) and fiber optic cables. The sudden announcement of the controls from Aug. 1 has companies struggling to restock and drive up prices.

Germanium is used in high-speed computer chips, plastics, and in military applications such as night vision goggles and satellite image sensors. Gallium is used in radar, radio communications equipment, satellites, and LED lights.

A Commerce Department spokesperson said in a statement released on Oct. e-Mail.

China’s move, which China’s commerce ministry said was aimed at protecting national security, was viewed by economic analysts as a response to Washington’s growing efforts to curb China’s technological advances.

The announcement came on the eve of US Independence Day and ahead of US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s visit to Beijing.

Concern was also expressed by the European Commission, while German Economics Minister Robert Habeck said that extending controls to materials such as lithium would be “problematic”.

The case marks the latest chapter in tensions between the United States and China that have escalated in recent years over issues such as trade tariffs, the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, cybersecurity, allegations of espionage, and technological competition.