This is pretty significant news.
China Introduces New Exports Controls On Antimony, Tungsten And Silver
According to Trump, his big achievement a week ago when he announced the trade truce with China, was getting Beijing to agree to remove export limitations on rare earth minerals, which as most now know are so critical for US companies to make everything from cell phones, to cars, and military equipment. And yet, as discussed on a few occasions this week, it feels like the cracks in this latest trade deal are already starting to show, whether it is Beijing ordering Trump what he can't talk about, or quietly ring-fencing its domestic data center by banning US AI chips.
And now, it appears that while China granted Trump a 1 year reprieve on rare earths, it is quietly tightening the export noose on other, just as important minerals.
According to the Global Times, China has introduced new export controls on silver, antimony, and tungsten.
In the statement published on the MOFCOM's website last Thursday, the export controls are for the 2026-27 period, and have the stated aim of "stepping up the protection of resources and the environment."