严打战略矿产走私！中方再出手，美媒发愁

Core Viewpoint - China is intensifying its export control measures on critical minerals essential for the U.S. defense industry, coinciding with upcoming U.S.-China trade talks in Switzerland [1][4][5]. Group 1: Export Control Measures - The Chinese government has implemented strict export controls on key minerals such as gallium, germanium, antimony, tungsten, and rare earth elements, which are crucial for military and civilian applications [1][2]. - In the first quarter of 2025, China's exports of antimony and germanium decreased by 57% and 39% respectively compared to the same period last year [1]. - The Ministry of Commerce has highlighted the need to combat smuggling and illegal exports of strategic minerals, emphasizing the importance of compliance in trade [2][4]. Group 2: Impact on U.S. Defense Industry - Antimony is critical for the production of U.S. military ammunition, communication devices, and night vision equipment [4]. - China controls over 50% of the production of 8 out of 13 key minerals used in military applications, indicating a significant dependency of the U.S. on Chinese supplies [5][8]. - A report suggests that a complete ban on exports of gallium and germanium by China could lead to a $3.4 billion reduction in U.S. GDP [5]. Group 3: Geopolitical Context - The timing of China's announcement to crack down on mineral smuggling aligns with heightened tensions in U.S.-China relations, particularly following U.S. trade restrictions [4][5]. - Other countries are also feeling the impact of U.S.-China trade frictions, with reports of South Korean companies being advised against exporting products containing Chinese rare earths to U.S. military firms [8].