China mineral export curbs heighten Japan supply chain fears

Businesses wary of U.S.-China tensions disrupting shipments of gallium and more

20241204N china flag periodic table montage

China is a top producer of many industrially important materials, such as gallium, antimony and tungsten. (Nikkei montage)

SHUGO YAMADA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- China's new exports curbs are fueling concern among Japanese businesses over the global supply of industrially important materials like gallium and antimony, especially with friction between Washington and Beijing expected to rise under the incoming Trump administration.

The Chinese Commerce Ministry on Tuesday announced a ban on exports of critical dual-use materials to the U.S., including gallium, which is used in chipmaking, and germanium, which is used for infrared light detection.

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