China will limit exports of antimony and other derived elements from September 15, citing national security reasons, as announced by its Ministry of Commerce.
Beijing has assured that These restrictions will be imposed “to safeguard national security and interests, and to comply with international obligations such as non-proliferation.”However, he also indicated that these controls are not aimed at harming any particular country or region.
According to the Geological Service of USA, The Asian giant accounted for 48.2% of global antimony production last year, a strategic metal used in ammunition, infrared missiles, nuclear weapons and night vision goggles, as well as in batteries and photovoltaic equipment.
Antimony for China
The restrictions will affect six types of antimony-related products from the middle of next month, including antimony ore per se, antimony metals and antimony oxide. Unauthorized exports of antimony smelting and separation technology will also be prohibited. oro y antimony.
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Suppliers of these products will now have to apply for export licenses for dual-use goods and technologies, that is, those with civil and military applications.
China already vetoed in December 2023 the sale of technology to manufacture magnets rare earths, initiative that was added to the already existing brake on exporting techniques for extracting and separating critical materials.
Beijing has also tightened exports of some products graphite and has imposed restrictions on products from gallium y germanywidely used in the semiconductor industry.
