China imposes export restrictions on key metals amid US tariff increase

China has announced comprehensive export restrictions on five metals vital for defence, clean energy, and other industries, shortly after the US under President Donald Trump imposed an additional 10 per cent tariff on Chinese goods.

The export controls, which take effect immediately, apply to tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, indium, and molybdenum, along with their related products, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

The Ministry of Commerce stated that the measures were implemented to protect national security interests. 

China is a leading producer and refiner of these metals, which are used in everything from solar panels and nuclear research to armor-piercing ammunition. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the US ceased tungsten mining in 2015 and has not produced refined bismuth since 1997. 

On February 1, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing tariffs on goods from Canada, China, and Mexico. A 25 per cent tariff is applied to imports from Mexico and Canada (with a 10 per cent tariff specifically on Canadian energy resources), while additional tariffs of 10 per cent are imposed on Chinese products. These measures took effect on February 4.

By Naila Huseynova