Westerman: China's Actions and Biden’s Inaction Put U.S. National Security at Risk

Today, China announced a ban on exports of three critical minerals, germanium, gallium and antimony, to the United States. The minerals are essential for the domestic production of semiconductors and the ban has significant national security implications. House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response:

"Despite the concerns of elected officials, national security experts, local communities and mineral producers, the Biden-Harris administration has made it more difficult to access the rich mineral resources here in America and ceded control of the global mineral supply chain to our adversaries. Americans are now forced to face the consequences of Biden's disastrous policies, and our nation is facing major security threats because of his radical anti-mining agenda. There is no time to waste, we must develop our domestic minerals today to ensure a secure supply of these critical resources. I look forward to working with President Trump and his administration to unleash the potential of our domestic mineral supply."

Background

China's decision to ban exports of germanium, gallium and antimony to the U.S. comes after a series of escalating tensions over the minerals beginning last year. China controls around 60 percent of the world's germanium supply and more than 90 percent of the world's gallium supply. These two minerals are essential to the domestic production of important technologies like semiconductors and solar cells. Antimony is an integral component of many defense-based equipment and many other applications. There is currently no source for domestic production.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the ban could have up to a $3.4 billion effect on the U.S. economy and cause significant national security concerns. China explicitly stated part of the intent of the ban was to target items of value to the U.S. military.

The House Committee on Natural Resources has continuously fought the policies of the Biden administration and pushed for increased development of our domestic mineral resources. The committee has also frequently advanced legislation which will support the development of domestic critical minerals and safeguard the mineral supply chain from actions like today's ban by the Chinese.