Reuters: US Has Learned To Circumvent China's Ban On Important Metals

• 9.07.2025, 12:11

Trade flows have changed through third countries.

An unusually large amount of antimony, a metal used in the manufacture of batteries, microchips and flame retardants, has entered the United States from Thailand and Mexico. At least one company from China is involved in the trade, although Beijing has imposed a ban on Washington.

The Reuters writes that China dominates the supply of antimony, as well as gallium and germanium used in telecommunications, semiconductors and military technology. Beijing banned exports of these minerals to the US on December 3, 2024, after Washington imposed restrictions on China's chip manufacturing sector.

The shift in trade flows underscores the battle over critical minerals and China's efforts to impose restrictions as it competes with the US for economic, military and technological supremacy. In particular, trade data shows a diversion of shipments from the U.S. through third countries.

According to U.S. Customs data, Washington imported 3,834 metric tons of antimony oxides from Thailand and Mexico from December through April. That's more than the previous three years combined.

Meanwhile, according to Chinese customs data through May, Thailand and Mexico were among the top three Chinese antimony exports this year.

According to consulting firm RFC Ambrian, Thailand and Mexico each have one antimony plant, with the latter having only reopened in April. Neither of those countries mines significant amounts of the metal.

U.S. law does not prohibit U.S. buyers from purchasing Chinese-origin antimony, gallium or germanium. Chinese companies can ship these minerals to countries other than the U.S. if they have a license. Thai Unipet Industries, the Thai subsidiary of Chinese antimony producer Youngsun Chemicals, has been actively trading with the United States in recent months.