• China has suspended a ban on exporting gallium, germanium, and antimony to the U.S.
• The suspension is effective until November 27, 2026, following a recent meeting between Xi Jinping and Trump.
• This decision aims to ease trade tensions and reinvigorate cooperation on dual-use materials.

China has announced the suspension of its ban on exports of key "dual-use items," particularly gallium, germanium, and antimony, essential for modern technology and military applications. This suspension is effective immediately and will remain in place until November 27, 2026, marking a notable shift in U.S.-China trade relations, according to Reuters, India Times, and Channel News Asia.

This reversal comes in the context of high-level discussions between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump on October 30 in South Korea, where both leaders agreed to alleviate certain trade tensions that escalated over the past year. The ban had originally been imposed in December 2024, but as trade duties reached triple digits, both countries sought a path to reduce tariffs and increase trade cooperation, reports India Times and Channel News Asia.

This policy shift indicates China's intent to leverage its critical mineral supply, crucial for industries ranging from semiconductors to smartphones. By easing restrictions on these dual-use materials, China is responding to immediate economic imperatives while also signaling a willingness to negotiate on trade issues that have disrupted supply chains, according to Reuters and India Times.