The US has said it opposes China’s export restrictions on metals and is consulting with allies

The United States “strongly” opposes China’s export restrictions on gallium and germanium, metals needed to make semiconductors and other electronics, a U.S. Commerce Department spokesman said Wednesday. to solve the problem.

Earlier this week, China imposed export restrictions on gallium and germanium materials used in electric vehicles (EVs) and fiber optic cables. The sudden announcement of restrictions from August 1 has companies scrambling to rethink and raise prices.

Germanium is used in high-speed computer chips, plastics, and military applications such as night vision goggles and satellite image sensors. Gallium is used in radar and radio communication equipment, satellites and LEDs.

“These actions underscore the need to diversify supply chains. The United States will work with our allies and partners to address this issue and increase the resilience of critical supply chains,” Commerce Department spokesman Ak. E- said in a statement. Mail.

China’s move, which China’s Ministry of Commerce said was aimed at protecting national security, was seen by economic analysts as a response to Washington’s growing efforts to curb China’s technological advances.

The announcement comes ahead of US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s visit to Beijing on the occasion of US Independence Day.

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said extending restrictions to products like lithium was “problematic”, and the European Commission also expressed concern.

The issue marks the latest episode in tensions between the US and China that have escalated in recent years over issues such as trade tariffs, the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic, cyber security, espionage allegations and technology competition.