Gallium, germanium, tungsten, silver, antimony and graphite: export restrictions have been in place or announced by the government for the export of these raw materials from China since this year. It is not yet entirely clear what impact the new rules will have. At least for the battery metal graphite, but also for the technology metals gallium and germanium, the German government believes “short and medium-term price increases and supply bottlenecks” are possible, German newspaper Handelsblatt quotes the Federal Ministry of Economics as saying. After the new rules came into force in August, exports of both metals fell significantly; in October, the quantities rose again, but are significantly below the previous year’s level. China justifies the measures on the grounds of national security. The raw materials in question can be used for both military and civilian purposes.
