China is strengthening restrictions on graphite exports. Graphite is a key mineral required for the production of electric vehicle batteries and fuel cells, and the global competition for key technological components is intensifying. This is the latest measure taken by China in this competition.
Last Friday, the Ministry of Commerce of China stated that in order to maintain national security, under a system to control trade in dual-use items, several types of natural graphite and synthetic graphite materials will require licenses for export starting from December 1, 2023.
The above restrictions involve a small but valuable part of China's leading graphite industry. Graphite can be used in strategic markets such as energy storage and nuclear power.
Just a few days ago, the United States tightened restrictions on Chinese companies' access to semiconductors, including halting sales of artificial intelligence (AI) chips produced by Nvidia and Intel to China. As Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers and battery manufacturers enter the world, and last month Europe launched a countervailing investigation against Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers, the electric vehicle supply chain is becoming a root cause of increased friction between the Chinese government and Western countries.
The Ministry of Commerce of China stated that this export control is not targeted at specific countries, and this move will "be beneficial for ensuring the security and stability of the global supply chain industry chain, and for better safeguarding national security and interests".