High tech in the worldIndustrial chain, gallium and germanium are two of the most crucial onesRare metals, which plays a central role in high-tech equipment such as chip manufacturing and active phased array radar. However, since China introduced gallium and germanium controls last year, the United States has essentially lost access to imports of these two critical materials from China. Recent customs data shows that China's exports of gallium and germanium to the United States have completely stopped as of July 2023. Japan, an ally of the United States, has also been affected, with its exports of gallium to China plummeting by nearly three-quarters and germanium exports by about one-third. China's gallium and germanium ban has given the United States a taste of countermeasures.
China's countermeasures against the United States have long been premeditated. July 3, 2023Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of ChinaThe General Administration of Customs issued an announcement to implement export controls on items such as gallium and germanium from August 1, 2023. The move was widely seen as a counterattack to the United States and its allies. The timing of this move is very clever, demonstrating China's strength and ability to fight back in the high-tech field.
At first, the United States did not take China's countermeasures to heart. United StatesPentagon, Intel and Japan's Sumitomo have all expressed confidence in China's countermeasures. However, it turns out that the situation is not as simple as they thought. About 98% of the world's gallium production comes from China, and the United States is extremely dependent on gallium and has not been involved in gallium refining for a long time. Even if the United States has germanium stockpiles, Japan and Europe try to find alternatives, in the context of globalization, it will be difficult for any single country to quickly fill the ** gap created by China. The United States is aware of the seriousness of the situation, so since September last year, it has frequently sent ** to visit China in an attempt to ease the situation through diplomatic means. In order to show its sincerity, China has decided to open export controls on semiconductor materials such as gallium and germanium to some companies. However, the United States has once again introduced more sanctions in the high-tech sector, causing tensions again. Recently,U.S. CongressIssuing a ban, prohibitingPentagonAfter October 2027, it will purchase from six Chinese companies, including CATL and BYDBattery。This kind of backtracking has aroused strong resentment in China.
In response to U.S. sanctions, China implemented export controls a month earlier. Starting in July 2023, China's gallium and germanium exports to the United States have been completely zeroed. In addition, China also made a response in December last yearGraphiteThe export of the implementation of strict control, resulting inGraphiteOverseas exports have fallen sharply. GraphiteYesBatteryMaterials, which are indispensable in the production of high-tech products, have taken the United States and Western countries by surprise. These export controls by China demonstrate its response to U.S. pressure at the global strategic level.
China has an abundance ofRare metalsResources and a well-established manufacturing base give China the potential to demonstrate resilience and resilience in the face of external challenges. Although at the moment China is only targeting someRare metalsExport controls are in place, but China has yet to use more strategic resources, such as:Rare earths。It is difficult to hide the worries of the United States and Western countries about China. It is foreseeable that the United States will continue to take measures against China and strengthen it in the futureInternationalSociety's negative perception of China's policies, accusing China of sabotaging global semiconductorsIndustrial chain。At the same time, the U.S. may try to detour imports of restricted materials from other countries to mitigate the impact on its own industry. China will further increase investment in the local semiconductor industry, accelerate the R&D and production process, and increase R&D investment in future technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, and strive to surpass the United States in the global technology field.
Under China's countermeasures against the United States, the United States has finally tasted the "taste" brought by its own sanctions against China. China has adopted a test through gallium, germanium as well asGraphiteThe export controls of key materials have effectively dealt a blow to the United States' dependence on and competitive advantage in high-tech industries. While the U.S. has tried to de-escalate the situation diplomatically, China's flexible adjustment of export controls has made it impossible for the U.S. to easily get rid of its restrictions. In addition, China has used its strategic advantages to demonstrate its resilience and counterattack capabilities. In the future, China will further increase investment in the local semiconductor industry, accelerate the R&D and production process, and invest in future technologies, and strive to surpass the United States in the global technology field. China's countermeasures are not only for its own interests, but also for the sake of global science and technologyIndustrial chainfairness and stability.