China Suspends Critical Mineral Export Ban to U.S., Sparking Major Trade Developments
by CR Express Team, Logistics Team • 3 min read
China Suspends Critical Mineral Export Ban to U.S., Sparking Major Trade Developments
In a surprising move that signals a potential easing of trade tensions, China has announced the suspension of its export ban on five critical minerals to the United States. The decision, revealed by China’s Ministry of Commerce on November 9, 2025, comes in the wake of a high-profile summit held on October 30, 2025, between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump in South Korea. This temporary reprieve marks a significant step toward reducing friction between the two largest global economies.
Critical Minerals Back in Play
The minerals affected by this suspension - gallium, germanium, antimony, tungsten, and graphite - are essential components in a range of technologies, including semiconductors, fiber optics, batteries, and even military applications such as armor-piercing ammunition and nuclear reactors. The export ban, originally imposed by Beijing in December 2024, had caused significant disruption to global supply chains and amplified the economic fallout of the U.S.-China trade war.
According to China's Ministry of Commerce, the one-year suspension eliminates the need for export licenses for these minerals until November 27, 2026. While the White House initially described the agreement as a longer-term suspension, China’s decision is notably more cautious, opting for a single year of relief with the possibility of reinstating restrictions thereafter.
This latest development follows a series of escalating trade measures between the two nations, which had seen tariffs soar to triple-digit levels. These measures had severely affected industries on both sides, with U.S. farmers being particularly hard-hit by Chinese retaliatory tariffs on agricultural exports such as soybeans.
China’s Strategic Leverage
China’s dominance in the production of these critical minerals has long been a powerful bargaining chip in global trade negotiations. A 2024 European Union report, cited by The Straits Times, underscored the extent of this dominance, noting that China accounts for 94% of the world’s gallium production, 83% of germanium output, and remains the leading producer of antimony and tungsten. These materials are indispensable for technologies ranging from integrated circuits and LEDs to solar energy systems and military hardware.
The suspension also loosens restrictions on graphite-related exports, a critical material for batteries and nuclear reactors. Despite this temporary measure, rare earth elements - another area where China holds a near-monopoly - were not included in the current suspension. However, President Trump announced in late October that China had agreed to a one-year suspension of restrictions imposed on rare earth technology exports earlier in October 2025.
Relief for U.S. Manufacturers and Farmers
The one-year suspension offers much-needed relief for U.S. manufacturers and defense contractors, who have struggled to source these materials since the ban was imposed. American farmers, too, stand to benefit after China extended its freeze on additional tariffs for soybeans and other agricultural products until late 2026. These moves follow Beijing’s decision to halt new tariffs imposed earlier this year and to maintain existing tariffs at a reduced rate of 10%.
However, industry experts caution that the underlying vulnerabilities in the U.S. supply chain remain unresolved. Developing independent sources for these minerals or creating new manufacturing plants for items such as magnets will require years of investment.
"Regardless of what’s going on outside of our borders, America still has to address all of the aspects of the critical minerals supply chain and magnet manufacturing", said Wade Senti, president of Advanced Magnet Lab, a Florida-based company specializing in magnets. His comments highlight the long-term challenges that persist despite this temporary reprieve.
Unresolved Ambiguity
The recent announcements have not eliminated all uncertainty. Following the October summit, conflicting narratives emerged, with the White House framing the agreement as a multiyear breakthrough while China opted for shorter-term measures. Notably, Beijing did not explain the delay of over a week in implementing the suspension of controls on the five minerals, leaving industry observers to speculate about potential future policy shifts.
For now, the suspension represents a brief pause in the ongoing trade conflict. While global supply chains may experience some relief, the possibility of renewed restrictions looms beyond November 2026. As both nations step back from the brink, the world waits to see whether this fragile truce can hold or if the mineral standoff will reignite. For the moment, however, industries reliant on gallium, germanium, antimony, tungsten, and graphite can breathe a temporary sigh of relief.