China Temporarily Lifts Export Ban on Gallium, Germanium, and Other Key Materials to the U.S.

China’s Ministry of Commerce announced the temporary suspension of its export ban on “dual-use items” involving gallium, germanium, antimony, and super-hard materials to the United States. The suspension, effective immediately, will remain in place until November 27, 2026. The original export restrictions were introduced in December 2024 as part of Beijing’s measures to safeguard national interests and manage critical material supplies amid escalating trade tensions with Washington.

Alongside the suspension, China has also paused the stricter end-user and end-use checks for exports of dual-use graphite to the U.S. These controls, announced concurrently with the initial ban, had required exporters to undergo enhanced screening processes to ensure compliance with national security regulations. The easing of these measures signals a significant, though temporary, shift in China’s trade policy toward the U.S., particularly in sectors related to semiconductors, renewable energy, and defense technologies that heavily rely on these materials.

The Ministry further stated that it has suspended additional export controls imposed on October 9, which had expanded restrictions on certain rare earth materials and lithium battery components. These actions come as part of broader efforts to stabilize trade relations following renewed diplomatic engagement between the two nations.

The decision follows recent talks between President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump, where both leaders agreed to reduce tariffs and pause other trade-related measures for one year. Analysts suggest the move could help ease global supply chain pressures, especially in critical technology and energy sectors, while creating space for further negotiations on long-term trade cooperation.