BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s commerce ministry has proposed export restrictions on some technology used to make battery components and process critical minerals lithium and gallium, a document issued on Thursday showed.
If implemented, they would be the latest in a series of export restrictions and bans targeting critical minerals and the technology used to process them, areas in which Beijing is globally dominant.
The proposed changes would expand and revise restrictions to include some of the technology used to make cathodes, components in batteries, as well as methods of extracting and processing lithium.
Some technologies to extract gallium would also be restricted under the proposed changes that are open for public comment until Feb. 1.
The release does not say when they could come into force.
Depending on their severity, the proposed restrictions on technology used to process lithium or prepare battery components could hinder the overseas expansion plans of major Chinese battery makers, including CATL, Gotion and EVE Energy.
Later this month, Donald Trump will be sworn in as U.S. President. He has pledged to use tariffs and various trade restrictions against other countries, in particular China.
(Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Toby Chopra and Barbara Lewis)
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