China Retaliates Against US Chip Sanctions with Ban on Key Minerals

China has banned exports of gallium, germanium, antimony, and other high-tech materials to the United States in response to recent US semiconductor export restrictions. This move escalates the ongoing trade tensions between the two nations, as these materials are crucial for various technological and military applications. The ban, effective immediately, also includes stricter controls on graphite exports and covers superhard materials used in industrial applications.