Beijing: In a surprise thaw in US-China trade tensions, Beijing has temporarily lifted its export curbs on critical dual-use minerals vital for semiconductors and defence tech, just days after Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump held their first summit in six years.
The move, effective immediately until November 27, 2026, signals a potential end to the lingering trade war that has gripped global supply chains.
China’s Commerce Ministry announced the suspension on Sunday, easing restrictions imposed in December 2024 on gallium, germanium, antimony, and super-hard materials destined for the US. These metals, where China commands a staggering 98% of global primary gallium production, according to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), are essential for chips, fibre optics, solar panels, and military systems.
The ban had forced American firms to scramble for alternatives in Europe and Southeast Asia.
The decision follows Friday’s broader relief on October 9 on curbs targeting rare earths and lithium battery materials. It stems directly from the October 30 Busan meeting, where Trump and Xi agreed to slash tariffs and halt new trade barriers for a year, paving the way for dialogue.
Trump hailed Xi as a “great leader of a great country”, predicting enduring ties, while Xi expressed delight at the reunion — their first since 2019.
The current de-escalation could stabilise tech markets, but experts caution it’s a fragile truce amid ongoing geopolitical frictions.