And the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced on Monday that exports of gallium and germanium metals will need a license, starting from the first of August, in the name of “security and national interests.”
However, European Commission spokeswoman Sonia Gosbodinova said the EU’s legislative arm considered the new restrictions “not linked to the need to protect international peace and stability”.
“We call on China to take an approach whereby export restrictions and controls are based on clear security considerations in line with World Trade Organization rules,” she said.
China produces 80 percent of the world’s supplies of gallium and germanium, according to a report by the European Commission in 2020.
The European Union imports 27 percent of its gallium imports from China and 17 percent of its germanium, according to that report.
Gallium is used in integrated circuits, LED lights and solar panels, while germanium is used in optical fibers and infrared camera lenses.
Beijing’s restrictions come as international tensions mount over semiconductor production and technology rivalry between China and the United States.
While the European Union does not adopt Washington’s more stringent stance, it seeks to reduce its dependence on vital materials from China.
“The Commission is currently working on a detailed analysis of the announced measures and their potential impact on global supply chains and European industry,” Gospodinova said.
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