10 November 2025

Raw materials from China: status quo in the current export regulation jungle

The recent adjustments to Chinese export controls on gallium, germanium, rare earths and other critical metals are currently causing some confusion for market participants. TRADIUM categorises the current situation and provides an overview of developments in Chinese export controls since summer 2023

Some regulations remain in place, newer ones are suspended

At the beginning of November, China cancelled its ban on exports of gallium, germanium and antimony to the USA for one year, which it had imposed last December. This announcement came just a few days after Beijing also paused its stricter export restrictions on five rare earths and processing technologies from China for a year. The People's Republic had only announced this extension in October. In contrast, for example, the export controls for several rare earth elements - including the particularly critical metals dysprosium and terbium - decided in April are still in force. In order to obtain an export licence, a large amount of sometimes sensitive data relating to the use and the recipient of the metals must therefore still be disclosed. However, the granting of such a licence is not guaranteed. This applies to all dual-use goods that can be used for military purposes, among other things. The global restrictions imposed in 2023 also continue to apply to the technology metals gallium, germanium and antimony. The same applies to the restrictions from February 2025 for tungsten and indium products.

The developments summarised in a compact graphic

With a simplified timeline, TRADIUM provides an overview of the progress of Chinese export controls.

Development of Chinese export restrictions of gallium, germanium, rare earths and other metals.

As the timeline shows, Beijing's two most recent announcements are only a small step forward. A large number of critical raw materials are still subject to restrictions. The announcements have not changed the European supply situation in particular. The withdrawal of individual measures does not change the fundamental imbalance: China still reserves the right to strategically control raw material exports.