https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/21/e...hnk/index.html
Quote:
China’s exports of two rare minerals essential for manufacturing semiconductors fell to zero in August, a month after Beijing imposed curbs on sales overseas, citing national security.
China produces about 80% of the world’s gallium and about 60% of germanium, according to the Critical Raw Materials Alliance, but it didn’t sell any of the elements on international markets last month, Chinese customs data released on Wednesday showed. In July, the country exported 5.15 metric tons of forged gallium products and 8.1 metric tons of forged germanium products.
When asked about the lack of exports last month,He Yadong, a spokesperson from China’s commerce ministry told a press briefing Thursday that the department had received applications from companies to export the two materials. Some applications had been approved, he said, without elaborating.
The curbs are indicative of China’s apparent willingness to retaliate against US export controls, despite concerns about economic growth, as a tech war simmers.
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The remaining 40% of Germanium are supplied by Canada, Finland, Russia and the United States. The remaining 20% of Gallium are from Europe, Japan, and in traces: Canada, it is not just an ore, but result of a processing process, the needed purity can be acchieved by only a few companies. [says the internet].