China bans exports of high-tech, military materials to U.S.

China’s commerce ministry has declared that it would prohibit the export of a number of high-tech and military commodities, such as gallium, germanium, and antimony, to the United States.

The United States' limits on semiconductor exports is believed to have prompted this action.

Beijing made the announcement following Washington's expansion of its list of Chinese companies that are subject to export bans for high-bandwidth memory chips, software, and computer chip manufacturing equipment, citing national security concerns, according to the Associated Press (AP).

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson,  Lin Jian told reporters today, “China has lodged stern protests with the US for its update of the semiconductor export control measures, sanctions against Chinese companies, and malicious suppression of China’s technological progress."

“I want to reiterate that China firmly opposes the US overstretching the concept of national security, abuse of export control measures, and illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction against Chinese companies,” he added.

The creation of nuclear weapons, batteries, night-vision goggles, and flame retardants all utilise antimony, whereas solar panels, military equipment, and computer chips for automobiles, cell phones, and other devices require gallium and germanium.

China's access to cutting-edge processor chips and other technologies required for artificial intelligence and other technological applications has been restricted by the US.

The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) has warned, "Such behaviour seriously violates the laws of the market economy and the principle of fair competition, undermines the international economic and trade order, disrupts the stability of the global industrial chain, and ultimately harms the interests of all countries."

In a statement, the China Semiconductor Industry Association claimed that "U.S. chip products are no longer safe and reliable." When buying American chips, China's associated sectors will need to exercise caution.

"China provides the United States with roughly half of its supply of gallium and germanium metals directly," the AP continued.

"The U.S. has deposits of such minerals but has not been mining them, though some projects underway are exploring ways to tap those resources," the news agency added.

Following President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in January, China is preparing for increased US tariffs on Chinese exports. Trump began a trade battle with China while he was still in the White House.

Last month, the New York Times reported that Mr. Trump has stated his belief that a trade and technological conflict with China is unavoidable.

Following US tariffs and trade restrictions, the Chinese government implemented largely symbolic and comparable actions during the first Trump administration.

According to experts, China is ready to intensify its responses this time and may target American businesses with tough and focused countermeasures, the New York Times said.