2025 has started with geopolitics taking centre stage once again in global critical minerals news.
As the world anticipates Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2025 where he is expected to use tariffs and various trade restrictions against other countries, China's Commerce Ministry is considering new export restrictions. According to document issued on 2 Jan, the Ministry proposed export restrictions on some technology used to make battery components and process critical minerals lithium and gallium.
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.
It is unclear when the proposed changes, which are open for public comment until Feb. 1, could come into force but it once again highlights the risk to global supply chain risks due to dependence on China.