China allows a trickle of critical minerals exports ahead of graphite curbs

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that countries will find ways to reduce dependencies if China controls the exports of gallium and germanium.

Chinese gallium companies have driven most rivals elsewhere out of the market by undercutting them on price over the last decade.

Export controls will be short-term disruptive to both gallium and germanium markets but Western countries should be able to adapt over time.

Gallium rose to $326 a kilogram on Friday, up $43 from a week ago.

Yellen’s comments kick off two days of meetings in Beijing for the US Treasury chief.

The EU wants to make sure that export restrictions on the two metals are based on clear security implications and comply with WTO rules.

China announced export restrictions on the two metals used in semiconductors.

The United States "firmly" opposes export controls announced by China on gallium and germanium, a US Commerce Department spokesperson said.

Excluding China, other countries with gallium production capacity include Russia and Ukraine.