China has implemented new export controls on a range of minerals, including antimony, a crucial component for the U.S. defense industry due to its use as a flame-retardant in machine bearings. Antimony, a lesser-known metal, finds applications in various defense technologies such as ammunition, infrared missiles, nuclear weapons, and night vision goggles, as well as in batteries and photovoltaic equipment. China, the world's largest producer of antimony, accounted for nearly half of global production last year.
The restrictions, effective as of Sunday, apply to six antimony-related products, including antimony ore, antimony metals, and antimony oxide. The U.S. imported approximately 22,000 tons of antimony last year, with China supplying 63% of U.S. imports of antimony metal and oxide, followed by Belgium at 8%.
