China’s rare metal export ban forces US to seek new suppliers
A Chinese export ban on gallium and germanium, critical for semiconductors and clean energy, has left the US scrambling to secure alternative sources, with Canada emerging as a key potential supplier despite looming trade tensions.
Maddie Stone reports for Grist.
In short:
- China, the dominant producer of gallium and germanium, banned exports of both metals to the U.S. in response to American semiconductor restrictions.
- US and Canadian companies are exploring ways to increase production, including recycling semiconductor waste and extracting metals from mining byproducts.
- Trade policies, including potential U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports, could complicate efforts to secure stable supplies.
Key quote:
“This latest round of export bans are putting a lot of wind in the sails of critical minerals supply chain efforts, not just in the U.S. but globally.”
— Seaver Wang, Breakthrough Institute
Why this matters:
Gallium and germanium are essential for semiconductors, fiber optics and clean energy technology, with few substitutes available. China’s export ban threatens U.S. access to these metals, highlighting the risks of relying on a single country for critical materials. Expanding domestic and allied supply chains could reduce economic and geopolitical vulnerabilities.
Read more: China's green tech surge sparks global trade tensions
