China Tightens Mineral Controls, Targets U.S. Supply

China has intensified its crackdown on the smuggling of strategic minerals, including gallium, germanium, antimony, tungsten, and rare earths, with a particular focus on restricting supply to the United States. Coordinated by several government agencies, the campaign targets both domestic and foreign entities using methods such as false reporting and transshipment through third countries to evade export controls. The restricted minerals are crucial to the U.S. aerospace and defense sectors, affecting numerous Pentagon weapon systems and components. Officials have stressed the urgency of these actions to deter illegal flows and reinforce national security. The crackdown comes ahead of significant trade talks with the U.S. and builds on stricter export controls implemented since 2023, amid ongoing tensions over technology and military supply chains. Despite incentives for smugglers, China is determined to enhance enforcement and protect its strategic resource security.