China has said it will ban the export of valuable minerals to the United States, escalating the trade war between the two superpowers.
The Biden administration recently tightened Chinese access to U.S. technology, and the future Trump administration is expected to be even harsher on China.
China will ban the export of the minerals gallium, germanium, antimony, and “superhard” materials on the basis that they have military and civilian uses. The minerals are important to military weaponry.
The country has not typically sought to block its exports to the U.S., but it could be taking a preemptive strike against a Trump administration that is expected to be harsher than its predecessor.
According to the New York Times, senior Chinese officials are worried Trump is planning more stringent policies during his coming term in office.
He’s already said he plans to impose a 10% tariff on the nation until it can halt the flow of drugs coming into the U.S. from Mexico.
“I have had many talks with China about the massive amounts of drugs, in particular Fentanyl, being sent into the United States – But to no avail,” Trump posted Nov. 25 on Truth Social. “Until such time as they stop, we will be charging China an additional 10% Tariff, above any additional Tariffs, on all of their many products coming into the United States of America.”
In the past, Trump proposed adding even more aggressive tariffs on China, campaigning on a promise to add tariffs of 60% or more on Chinese products.
The Biden administration kept Trump’s Chinese tariffs in place and has even increased some of them. President Joe Biden’s recent move to limit U.S. technology flow to China has incensed the country’s leaders.
“Such practices seriously undermine the international economic and trade order, disrupt the stability of global production and the supply chain, and harms the interests of all countries,” Lin Jian, a spokesman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said.
Chinese industry groups have called on the country’s companies to avoid buying U.S. technology chips in another response to Biden’s move to prohibit the sale of certain types of chips and machinery to China.
“American chip products are no longer safe and reliable, and related Chinese industries will have to be cautious in purchasing American chips,” the China Semiconductor Industry Association said.
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The Chinese mineral ban will affect U.S. production of infrared technology and fiber optics, as 54% of germanium used in the U.S. is from China. It will likely send the U.S. in search of another supplier.
As for the future Trump administration, Chinese President Xi Jinping has issued a veiled warning. He said, “A new Cold War should not be fought and cannot be won. Containing China is unwise, unacceptable, and bound to fail.”