China has announced a ban on the export of rare but essential earth minerals to the United States, crucial for manufacturing key semiconductors. This development marks the latest escalation in the ongoing tech war between the two global superpowers.
China has banned the exports of three key rare minerals — gallium, germanium, and antimony.
They are mostly used in computers, defence, and renewable energy technology.
Marking the latest escalation of trade tensions between two of the biggest economies in the world
The development came a day after President Joe Biden’s administration prohibited certain types of chips and machinery and added more than 100 Chinese companies to a restricted-trade list.
China has banned the exports of three key rare minerals —
Gallium (atomic number 31) is a soft, silvery-white metal, similar to Aluminium, whose melting point is just above room temperature.
Germanium (atomic number 32) is a greyish-white metalloid (meaning semi-metal) which is brittle.
Antimony (atomic number 51) is a hard, brittle, silvery metalloid.
Read more: What is an Atomic Number & Atomic Mass
