Since December 1, China's export control measures on specific graphites have officially come into effect, and in the period before they come into effect, many countries are adjusting to figure out how to deal with China's measuresAmong them, South Korea and Japan are the most anxious, but it is still difficult to find a way not to be affected by China's industrial chain.
As we all know, China is the world's largest graphite producer and exporterAccording to the statistics of the U.S. Energy Administration, in the coming period, about 98% of the world's anode production in the graphite field will increase in China. This shows that China will master the graphite industry, and it can be said that in the field of graphite processing, China is clearly ranked first in the world
Through the implementation of temporary export control measures, on the one hand, it can effectively curb the occurrence of illegal exports and protect China's graphite resourcesOn the other hand, this measure can also prevent external forces from controlling China's graphite resources and safeguard China's best interests and interests. Since graphite is also the core raw material of batteries, when China restricted the export of graphite, South Korea began to worry, and the dependence of South Korean batteries on China reached more than 90%.
According to data from the Ministry of Industry, the total value of artificial and natural graphite imported by South Korea for battery anode materials reached 2$4.1 billion, of which 93.3 billion7% of the graphite comes from China, and the power battery industry is one of South Korea's dominant industries.
It is understood that by the first half of 2023, South Korean companies will occupy 3 of the top 10 installed capacity of power batteries in the world. However, if China stops sending graphite to South Korea, then South Korea's power battery industry will face serious difficulties.
South Korea has been trying to find a way in various meetings, South Korea's relevant ** and enterprises after careful study, said that there are solutions, but the effect is not great, South Korea L&F company is fully investing in a new battery anode material factory, hoping to reduce dependence on China. However, South Korea's Ministry of Industry plans to minimize the impact on Korean companies through dialogue channels with China's Ministry of Commerce.
The situation is similar in Japan, where about 90 percent of its graphite is imported from China, according to the country's resource agency.
According to Japan's ** report, the Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry has proposed to China that China's control of highly sensitive graphite is an act that undermines the free market. If China does not respond in a timely manner, Japan will use WTO regulations to file a lawsuit against China. The reason why Japan is so excited is because most of Japan's graphite imports come from China, and at present, some large Japanese companies, such as Sony and Panasonic, need to use this graphite in their products. Therefore, China's regulation is undoubtedly a huge blow to Japan, and may even lead to the stagnation of Japan's technology industry. In order to exert pressure on China, Japan is trying to use the WTO to achieve its goals, hoping to make China feel jealous.
Japan has been very adept at doing this, and when the international community ignored the discharge of nuclear wastewater, China took the decision to ban the import of Japanese seafood. In response, Japan filed an appeal against China with the WTO. A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce expressed its attitude towards Japan's approach, that is, China's export controls on highly sensitive graphite substances are not targeted at any third country or specific region, and as long as they comply with China's regulations, export licenses can be obtained.
China's intentions are obvious, if you want to get graphite, you have to apply according to Chinese regulations. If Japan wants to make a big deal out and confront China at the WTO, we will resolutely deal with it. When Japan imposed semiconductor sanctions and export controls on China, did they ever think that there would be such a situation today?The reason why Japan is worried about "undermining freedom**" is more because it is worried that its related industries will be severely impacted.
Of course, we also hope that Japan will understand that as a neighbor of China, Japan should bear the corresponding responsibilities。Japan has been calling for a détente in Sino-Japanese relations, but what we need to see is action, not rhetoric.
This graphite export control, first, can remind the relevant countries and tell them: as long as we want to fight back, we can also let you know what it feels like to get stuck in the neckLet Japan and South Korea know that it is also dangerous to be a lackey of the United States and sometimes be beaten, and if you want to get China's exports, don't keep licking the United States. Second, it can also strive for more development space for ourselves, even if it is a few years, it can allow them to catch up for a long time, and maybe, when the technology gets another round of updates and iterations.