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☆ Microsoft asks some employees in China to move to other countries
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Diksha Madhok | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Microsoft has asked at least 100 of its employees in China to consider moving to other countries, according to Chinese state media reports. Microsoft employees, mostly involved with cloud computing, were recently offered the opportunity to work in the United States, Australia or Ireland, among other countries, state-run outlet The Paper said in a report Wednesday, citing an unnamed source. The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that Microsoft asked as many as 800 employees — mostly engineers with Chinese nationality working on cloud computing and AI — to consider relocating. In a statement reported by Reuters, Microsoft (MSFT) said providing internal opportunities for some employees was part of its regular business and the company remained committed to China. In recent months, the United States has also enlisted its allies in Europe and Asia in restricting sales of advanced chipmaking equipment to China.

Persons: —, Biden, Joe Biden Organizations: CNN, Microsoft, Street, The, Reuters, Microsoft Research Locations: China, Beijing, Washington, United States, Australia, Ireland, Europe, Asia

☆ Nvidia names Huawei a top competitor in major areas including AI chips
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —Nvidia has named Huawei a top competitor in a number of areas, including in the crucial production of processors that power artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Other companies also listed as its rivals in some areas include AMD, Amazon (AMZN), Microsoft (MSFT) and Broadcom (AVGO). In October 2022, the Biden administration imposed sweeping curbs designed to curtail China’s access to advanced computing chips. In July, it imposed export controls on two strategic raw materials, gallium and germanium, that are critical to the global chipmaking industry. Data centers, which includes the graphics cards that are widely use in generative AI, are Nvidia’s biggest source of revenue.

Persons: Jensen Huang, Biden, ” Colette Kress, CNN’s Rob McLean, David Goldman Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Nvidia, Huawei, AMD, Microsoft, Broadcom, CNN, Micron, “ Locations: China, Hong Kong, Santa Clara, Singapore, Shenzhen, Beijing, Washington, Japan, Netherlands, ”, “

☆ Japanese chipmaker Renesas strikes $5.9 billion deal to buy software company Altium
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Shreyashi Sanyal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Japanese semiconductor firm Renesas Electronics said Thursday that it would acquire Sydney-listed software company Altium for 9.1 billion Australian dollars ($5.89 billion) in cash, as it seeks to streamline its electronics design process. Renesas said it would pay AU$68.50 per share, representing a 33.6% premium to Altium's closing price of AU$51.26 on Wednesday. Australia-listed shares of Altium jumped nearly 30% to near AU$66, while Tokyo-listed Renesas fell 3.2%. The deal has been unanimously approved by the board of both companies but its completion is subject to approvals from Altium shareholders, Australian court and regulators, Renesas said. The deal comes a month after Renesas agreed to buy Nasdaq-listed Transphorm for $5.10 per share in an all-cash deal worth $339 million.

Persons: Renesas, Altium, Jesper Koll, Koll, Aram Mirkazemi Organizations: Renesas Electronics, Sydney, Monex Group, CNBC, Japan Inc, Nasdaq Locations: Australia, Tokyo, Japan

☆ China, in Comic Strip, Warns of 'Overseas' Threats to Its Rare Earths
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Liz LeeBEIJING (Reuters) - China's chief intelligence agency posted on social media a comic strip featuring foreign-looking characters secretly extracting rare earths, in a story portraying the country's strategic metals under threat from covetous "overseas organisations". No foreign government or agencies were named in the comic strip, and the ministry did not specify any measures to counter foreign "interest" in China's rare earths. It also banned the export of technology to make rare earth magnets, in addition a ban on technology to extract and separate rare earths. The restrictions have fanned fears that the supply of rare earths might ignite tensions with the West, particularly the United States, which accuses China of using economic coercion to influence other countries. The newspaper said the United States, Japan and the European Union, among others, have for a long time "coveted China's rare earth mineral resources".

Persons: Liz Lee BEIJING, Li Baiyang, Liz Lee, Miral Fahmy Organizations: State Security, United, Mining, Times, European Union, Global Times, Nanjing University Locations: China, United States, Beijing, U.S, Japan

☆ Tennessee Zinc Smelter Is at the Center of U.S.-China Trade Fight
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Asa Fitch | Photography William Deshazer For The Wall Street Journal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn.—An obscure zinc smelter in Tennessee is sitting on two minerals vital to producing chips for smartphones and radar systems, landing it in the middle of a global trade war. The plant’s Dutch owner and local officials are looking to fund an expansion so the smelter can process the sought-after materials, germanium and gallium, which are supplied to the rest of the world primarily by China.

Locations: CLARKSVILLE, Tenn, Tennessee, China

☆ US-China chip war nixes Alibaba’s plan to spin out cloud business
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

London CNN —Alibaba has called off plans to spin off its cloud computing arm, saying recent tightening of US controls on chip exports to China has created “uncertainties” for the division’s prospects. “We will focus on developing a sustainable growth model for Cloud Intelligence Group under the fluid circumstances,” the company said. And days after the announcement of the latest US chip restrictions, Beijing unveiled plans to restrict exports of graphite, a mineral required to make batteries for electric vehicles. Alibaba’s revenues for the June-to-September quarter climbed 9% on the previous year to 224.8 billion renminbi ($31 billion). Net profit was 26.7 billion renminbi ($3.7 billion), compared with a net loss previously, due to an increase in the value of the group’s equity investments.

Persons: London CNN — Alibaba, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, BABA, ”, Xi, ” Biden, Biden, Tim Cook, Tesla, Elon, ” Xi, Jack Ma Organizations: London CNN, Cloud Intelligence Group, Alibaba’s, Biden Wednesday, San, Apple Locations: China, United States, Beijing, San Francisco, Hong Kong

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose for a family photo during Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in San Francisco, California, U.S. November 16, 2023. They also pledged to hold high-level dialogue on economic issues and welcomed the launch of a framework to discuss export controls as they met on the sidelines of an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. In a joint statement in 2008, Japan and China agreed to pursue a "mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests" designed to ensure frequent leadership exchanges on issues such as security and economic cooperation. On the sidelines of the APEC summit, Kishida has also met South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for their seventh meeting this year. Leaders from the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum are in San Francisco for its 30th summit from Nov. 15-17.

Persons: Fumio Kishida, Xi Jinping, Carlos Barria, Xi, Kishida, Joe Biden, Biden, Washington, Rumi Aoyama, Aoyama, Yoon Suk, Yoon, Mariko Katsumura, John Geddie, Kaori Kaneko, Sakura Murakami, Ethan Wang, Stephen Coates, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Japan's, Economic Cooperation, REUTERS, Asia, Astellas Pharma, ., Waseda Institute of Contemporary Chinese, APEC, South, Thomson Locations: Asia, San Francisco , California, U.S, China, San Francisco, Japan, Taiwan, Beijing, United States, Tokyo

☆ Alibaba stock drops as chip war nixes its plan to spin out cloud business
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

London CNN —Alibaba has dropped plans to spin off its cloud computing arm, sending its stock tumbling, because of US controls on chip exports to China which the company said had created “uncertainties” for the division’s prospects. “We will focus on developing a sustainable growth model for Cloud Intelligence Group under the fluid circumstances,” the company said. During talks with Biden Wednesday, Xi described the restrictions as “technological containment,” according to a senior US official. Biden said in response that the United States is not going to provide technology to China that could be used against it by the Chinese military. Alibaba’s revenues for the June-to-September quarter climbed 9% on the previous year to 224.8 billion renminbi ($31 billion).

Persons: London CNN — Alibaba, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, BABA, ”, Xi, Biden, Tim Cook, Tesla, Elon, ” Xi, Jack Ma Organizations: London CNN, Cloud Intelligence Group, Biden Wednesday, US, San, Apple Locations: China, London, Hong Kong, United States, Beijing, San Francisco

☆ 3 things to know about the most important relationship in the global economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Even so, finding ways to “get back on a normal course” — in the words of Biden — matters hugely to the global economy. He also pointed to some American companies leaving China altogether, such as asset management giant Vanguard. In the third quarter, a measure of foreign direct investment into China turned negative for the first time in 25 years. The country is by far the world’s biggest gallium producer, and a leading global producer of germanium, according to the US Geological Survey. Listed American companies with big business in China, such as Apple (AAPL) and Tesla (TSLA), may face higher scrutiny, too.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, “, Biden, ”, Scott Kennedy, Chenggang Xu, California Justin Sullivan, Xu, Gina Raimondo, Adam Glanzman, Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Donald Trump, Liu, … Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Economic Cooperation, CNN, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Stanford Center, China’s, Shipping, Port, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, European Union, American Chamber of Commerce, Vanguard, Companies, US, Nvidia, Semiconductor Industry Association, Bloomberg, Getty, Geological Survey, Council, Foreign Relations, Communist Party of China Finances, Capital, Apple, Chinese Communist Party, China Economic, Security, Commission, Biden, CFR Locations: China, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Asia, United States, Mexico, Canada, Port of Oakland, California, Shanghai, Ukraine, Moscow, Washington, Beijing, American, New York, US, Japan, Netherlands, Sequoia

[1/4] A wheel loader operator fills a truck with ore at the MP Materials rare earth mine in Mountain Pass, California, U.S. January 30, 2020. Market leader Tesla (TSLA.O) garnered headlines earlier this year saying it would cut rare earths from its next-generation EVs. China dominates the mining and processing of a group of 17 metals known as rare earths, though companies elsewhere are trying to loosen China's grip. 'WAITING IN THE WINGS'The average EV permanent magnet motor uses around 600 grams (1.32 lb) of heavy rare earth neodymium. Tesla's announcement on dropping rare earths "opened up buyers' eyes to the fact that you don't really need rare earths to make EV magnets," Niron CEO Jonathan Rowntree said.

Persons: Steve Marcus, Tesla, Otmar Scharrer, Scharrer, you've, Ben Chiswick, Uwe Deuke, Gerd Roesel, Jonathan Rowntree, Oki, James Edmondson, Edmondson, Mike Grant, Nick Carey, Christina Amann, Paul Lienert, Ernest Scheyder, Gilles Guillaume, Giulio Piovaccari, Ben Klayman, Sharon Singleton Organizations: REUTERS, Auto, LONDON, General Motors, Rover, Nissan, ZF, U.S, BMW, Renault, GM, EV, Warwick Acoustics, Thomson Locations: Pass , California, U.S, China, BERLIN, German, Detroit, Europe, London, Berlin, Houston, Paris, Milan

☆ Rare earth finds could help revive coal industry, says CEO who just made a discovery worth billions
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

To put that in perspective, the U.S. consumed about 10,000 tons of rare earth elements annually over the past decade. Rare earths are used in advanced military technology, electric vehicles and other applications. Potential boon Atkins told CNBC on Monday that it is logical to think rare earths could be sitting undiscovered elsewhere in the U.S. "This might be something that will kind of awaken the thought that there might be different uses for coal," Atkins said. Ramaco last month started developing the Brook Mine, the first new rare earth mine in the U.S. since Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine opened in California in 1952.

Persons: Randall Atkins, Atkins, CNBC's, It's, Ramaco Organizations: Ramaco, International, CNBC, Energy Information Agency, Exports Locations: Ramaco Resources, Wyoming, United States, Sheridan, U.S, California, China, Hamilton, Washington, Europe, Moscow, Ukraine

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and China are the two global economic heavyweights. The meeting will bring together 21 Pacific Rim countries, which collectively represent 40% of the world’s people and nearly half of global trade. Indeed, imports of Chinese goods to the United States were down 24% through September compared with the same period of 2022. Xi, too, has reason to try to restore economic cooperation with the United States. “This will not be an easy sell.’’Complicating matters is that the tensions between Washington and Beijing go well beyond economics.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi, Eswar Prasad, “, Prasad, Donald Trump, Trump, Biden, Chad Bown, Janet Yellen, Lifeng, —, ” Yellen, ’ ’, Wendy Cutler, Raja Krishnamoorthi, ’ ’ Krishnamoorthi, ’ Organizations: WASHINGTON, International Monetary Fund, “, Cornell University, Economic Cooperation, Biden, World Trade Organization, U.S, Peterson Institute for International Economics, Prosperity, Trump, Group, Bain & Co, Micron, IMF, United, Asia Society Institute, Chinese Communist Party, Republicans, Pew Research Center, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Rep, Illinois Democrat Locations: United States, China, Washington, Beijing, U.S, Ukraine, Gaza, Asia, San Francisco, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, India, Philippines, South China, Taiwan, Chinese, Kenya, Nigeria, Illinois

TOKYO (AP) — Trade and economy officials from the Group of Seven wealthy democracies strengthened their pledge Sunday to work together to ensure smooth supply chains for essentials like energy and food despite global uncertainties. Political Cartoons View All 1223 ImagesThe G-7 includes the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Britain. Trade is one sector where growing political tensions with China have been playing out, although China was not directly mentioned in the meetings. Yasutoshi Nishimura, the Japanese minister in charge of trade and the economy, said G-7 nations expressed support and understanding for Japan’s position, stressing the safety of Japanese food based on scientific evidence, including that from Fukushima. Nishimura also said the guest nations that took part in the G-7 meeting, including Australia and India, were potentially powerful allies in strengthening the supply chain in valuable materials.

Persons: Yoko Kamikawa, ”, “, Yasutoshi Nishimura, Nishimura, Kamikawa, Katherine Tai, ___ Yuri Kageyama Organizations: TOKYO, —, European Union, World Trade Organization, ”, EU, U.S . Trade Locations: Osaka, Ukraine, Israel, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain, Australia, Chile, India, Indonesia, Kenya, China, Hiroshima, Fukushima

☆ Global EV battery supply chain puzzles over China graphite curbs
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Graphite powder, used for battery paste, is pictured in a Volkswagen pilot line for battery cell production in Salzgitter, Germany, May 18, 2022. China dominates the global EV battery supply chain including production of graphite - the single largest component. Graphite companies in the country process both the natural material mined domestically and overseas, as well as synthetic forms. Under the new rules, China will require export permits starting Dec. 1 for high-end synthetic graphite, as well as key forms of natural graphite. NATURAL GRAPHITE HITGlobal companies using natural graphite include Hitachi Chemical, part of Japan's Resonac Holdings Corp (4004.T), South Korea's POSCO Future M (003670.KS) and Japan's Mitsubishi Chemical, which produces natural graphite at two plants in China, according to research firm CRU Group.

Persons: Fabian Bimmer, Sunit Kapur, Zhang Yan, Siyi Liu, Brenda Goh, Satoshi Sugiyama, Heekyong Yang, Seoul ， Paul Lienert, Jing Xu, Dominique Patton, Tony Munroe, David Evans Organizations: Volkswagen, REUTERS, Rights, EV, Qingdao, Reuters, China's Ministry of Commerce, Gotion High Tech, BTR, Material Technology, Hitachi Chemical, Japan's Resonac Holdings Corp, Mitsubishi Chemical, CRU Group, Mitsubishi, Resources, Materials, Thomson Locations: Salzgitter, Germany, Beijing, China, Japan, South Korea, United States, U.S, Shanghai, Ningbo Shanshan, Indonesia, Finland, Japan's, Australia, Mozambique, U.S ., Louisiana, North Carolina, Toyko, Seoul ，, Detroit

REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 23 (Reuters) - China is upping the critical minerals stakes by curbing exports of graphite, a key raw material in electric vehicle batteries. There is much potential for further escalation in this unfolding critical minerals battle between China and the West. Previous restrictions on lower-grade graphite exports destined for the steel and lubricants sectors have been rescinded. The world's graphite supply chain could well be in for a similar short-term shock. Western governments are still evaluating their response, waiting like the rest of us to see how China's graphite volumes play out in the coming months.

Persons: Fabian Bimmer, Wei Jianguo, Wei, Biden, Obama, Trump, Adam Hodge, China's Wei, David Evans Organizations: Volkswagen, REUTERS, Commerce, U.S, Chips, Benchmark Minerals, U.S . Department, Department of Defense, EV, World Trade Organization, European Union, WTO, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Salzgitter, Germany, China, U.S, Alaska, Australia, Japan

China's decision may escalate trade disputes globally and spur other countries to prioritize research into alternative sources and materials, industry executives said. "We see China's move as a potential catalyst to highlight the urgency of improving (U.S.) graphite supply," said John DeMaio, president of Graphex Group's (6128.HK) graphene division. It has graphite supply deals with Syrah Resources (SYR.AX) and is looking for other sources, DeMaio said. Synthetic graphite could account for nearly two-thirds of the EV battery anode market by 2025, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence estimates. Chief Operating Officer Hans Erik Vatne told Reuters recently that developing synthetic graphite production is costly, but that is the price to pay to reduce reliance on China.

Persons: Fabian Bimmer, John DeMaio, Graphex Group's, DeMaio, Tesla, Hans Erik Vatne, Rob Anstey, Alvin Liu, Akash Sriram, Ernest SCheyder, Nick Carey, Christina Amann, Marie Mannes, Gilles Guillaume, Ilona Wissenbach, Ben Klayman, Josie Kao Organizations: Volkswagen, REUTERS, Syrah Resources, Magnis Energy Technologies, Mineral Intelligence, Reuters, EVs, BMO Capital Markets, BMW, Volvo, Renault, General Motors, Ford, Thomson Locations: Salzgitter, Germany, China, Warren , Michigan, West, U.S, Europe, Oslo, Norway, Bengaluru, Houston, London, Berlin, Stockholm, Paris, Frankfurt

☆ China curbs graphite exports in latest critical minerals squeeze
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Here are key details on graphite and China's limits on exports of strategic minerals. That's about double the amount of lithium in an EV battery. China also refines more than 90% of the world's graphite into material used in virtually all EV battery anodes. Top buyers of graphite from China include Japan, the U.S., India and South Korea, according to Chinese customs data. OTHER CHINESE MINERAL EXPORT CURBSIn July, China announced export restrictions on eight gallium and six germanium products starting on Aug. 1.

Persons: Tony Munroe, Amy Lv, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, . Geological Survey, EV, Mercedes, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, Thomson Locations: Qingdao, Shandong province, China, Rights SINGAPORE, Mozambique, Madagascar, Brazil, Japan, U.S, India, South Korea

☆ China export curbs choke off shipments of gallium, germanium for second month
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

China's exports of wrought germanium products stood at 1 kilogram, versus zero in August after a flurry of buying prior to the restrictions saw shipments of wrought products surge to 8.63 metric tons in July. China exported no wrought gallium products in August and September. Exporters of germanium and gallium products now need to obtain an export licence for dual-use items and technologies, meaning those with potential military and civilian applications. Some Chinese companies have obtained export licences for gallium and germanium products, the Ministry of Commerce said in September. China's exports of wrought germanium totaled 36.49 tons in the first nine months of 2023, up 47.4% on the year, while shipments of wrought gallium fell 61.9% on the year to 22.72 tons over the same period.

Persons: Amy Lv, Dominique Patton Organizations: cnsphoto, REUTERS, Rights, Ministry of Commerce, Shanghai Metals, Thomson Locations: Ningbo Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China, Rights BEIJING, Beijing, Washington

☆ China, world's top graphite producer, to curb exports of key battery material
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FILE PHOTO: Trucks travel past containers at the Yangshan Deep Water Port in Shanghai, China January 13, 2022. It also refines more than 90% of the world’s graphite into material used in virtually all EV battery anodes. China is enacting the curbs at the same time that foreign governments are increasing their pressure on its companies over their industrial practices. Under the new restrictions announced on Friday, China will require exporters of two types graphite to apply for permits, including high-purity, high-hardness and high intensity synthetic graphite material, and natural flake graphite and its products. Top buyers of graphite from China include Japan, India and South Korea, according to Chinese customs data.

Persons: Aly Organizations: REUTERS, . Geological Survey, EV, European, Nvidia Locations: BEIJING, China, Port, Shanghai, U.S, United States, Europe, Japan, India, South Korea

☆ China restricts exports of graphite as it escalates a global tech war
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Juliana Liu | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

“At the moment both China and Western countries are engaged in a tit for tat, highlighting how protectionist measures often spread. China, which dominates the world’s production and processing of graphite, says export permits will be needed, starting in December, for synthetic graphite material — including high-purity, high-strength and high-density versions — as well as for natural flake graphite. China was the world’s leading graphite producer last year, accounting for an estimated 65% of global production, it said. Gallium, germanium restrictionsThe export curbs were announced as China faces pressure from multiple governments over its commercial and trade practices. In July, Beijing imposed export restrictions on gallium and germanium, two minerals essential for making semiconductors.

Persons: ”, Stefan Legge, carmakers, Ivan Lam Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Ministry of Commerce, Administration, Customs, “, University of St, Institute for Energy Research, EV, International Energy Agency, Geological Survey, Counterpoint Research, US Department of Energy Locations: China, Hong Kong, United States, University of St Gallen, Switzerland, Washington, DC, Europe, Asia, Beijing, Russia, Ukraine

☆ China’s graphite curbs send green warning shot
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Lisa Jucca | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Global demand for graphite, seen at 770,000 tonnes this year, is expected to treble by 2033, according to estimates by Fastmarkets graphite analyst Georgi Georgiev. China currently accounts for 64% of the global production of natural graphite and more than half of the artificial equivalent. More importantly, the People’s Republic refines more than 90% of the graphite into high-purity material used in EV batteries. This echoes the approach China used earlier this year to restrict exports of gallium and germanium, two metals used in chips and fibre optic cables, triggering a fall in international shipments. Mining graphite in Europe, which wants to lead in EV adoption, is simply more expensive, says Aiden Lavelle, CEO of miner European Green Metals.

Persons: Georgi Georgiev, Aiden Lavelle, Carmakers, Una Galani, Streisand Neto Organizations: Reuters, People’s, EV, Shanghai Putailai, Energy Technology, Metals, Volkswagen, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, China, Republic, Shanghai, Finland, Sweden, Beijing, Western, Europe, U.S

Graphite is used in virtually all EV battery anodes, which is the negatively charged portion of a battery. Their announcement boosted China's exports in July as overseas buyers rushed to lock in supply, while the launch of the restrictions slashed exports in August-September. It also makes more than 90% of the final processed material for EV battery anodes. "We have been waiting for (China's) graphite exports to slow," said John Meyer at SP Angel. "Having overproduced synthetic graphite we reckon China is also keen to keep this material within China to meet rapid growth in EV battery demand."

Persons: Phil Noble, Tom Burkett, James Willoughby, Wood Mackenzie, Daisy Jennings, Gray, Willoughby, John Meyer, Polina Devitt, Amy Lv, Eric Onstad, Veronica Brown, Josie Kao Organizations: REUTERS, EV, Global Graphite Advisory, Companies, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, SP, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain, BEIJING, China, Canada, Africa, Australia, Brazil, U.S, Wood, Japan, United States, South Korea, India

☆ Chinese gallium prices hit 7-month high as demand improves, shipments resume
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Chinese prices of chip-making metal gallium hit their highest since February this week on stronger domestic demand and growing hopes of recovering exports, analysts and suppliers said. The spot price of gallium metal reached 1,975 yuan ($269.95) per kg on Oct. 18, up 18% since the start of July and up 8% since Aug. 1, data from consultancy Shanghai Metals Market showed. The Ministry of Commerce said last month that some Chinese companies have obtained export licences for gallium and germanium products. European prices of gallium metal surged by 68% from early July to $475 per kg on Oct. 18 and was up 23% from August, data from information provider Fastmarkets showed. ($1 = 7.3162 Chinese yuan)Reporting by Amy Lv and Dominique Patton in Beijing; Editing by Shounak DasguptaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Florence Lo, Li Yilan, Antaike, Amy Lv, Dominique Patton, Shounak Dasgupta Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, . Geological Survey, Shanghai Metals, Beijing, Commerce, Fastmarkets, Thomson Locations: China, Rights BEIJING, Beijing

The original rules had sought to hamper China’s ability to procure advanced computing chips and manufacture advanced weapons systems. Not all chipsRaimondo, who visited China in August, said the administration was “laser-focused” on slowing the advancement of China’s military. Chips used in phones, video games and electric vehicles were purposefully carved out from the new rules, according to senior administration officials. In recent months, the United States has enlisted its allies in Europe and Asia in restricting sales of advanced chipmaking equipment to China. In July, Beijing hit back by imposing its own curbs on exports of germanium and gallium, two elements essential for making semiconductors.

Persons: Washington CNN —, Biden, Gina Raimondo, Raimondo, Mao Ning, chipmakers, “, ”, ASML Organizations: Washington CNN, US Commerce Department, Washington, Ministry, Biden, United States, Nvidia, Intel, AMD, United Arab, ” Nvidia, Semiconductor Industry Association, US Department of Commerce, Biren Technology, CNN Locations: China, Hong Kong, Washington, Macao, United States, Iran, Russia, Beijing, United, Europe, Asia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Dutch

☆ The world will pay a high price if China cuts off supplies of chipmaking materials
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Last year, it accounted for 98% of the global production of gallium and 68% of refined germanium production, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). “Refining technologies and facilities for processing gallium and germanium cannot be built overnight, particularly considering the environmental implications of their extraction and mining,” she wrote in July. Analysts from the think tank said China’s leading position in the aluminum industry has allowed it to establish a dominant share of global gallium production. According to the USGS, Russia, Japan, and Korea produced a combined 1.8% of global gallium in 2022. Last year, the US Defense logistics Agency introduced a program to recycle optical-grade germanium used in weapon systems.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, ”, Xiaomeng Lu, Marina Zhang, Zhang, Ewa Manthey, haven’t, Chris Miller, Gregory Allen, Nyrstar, ” Lu, Manthey Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, geotechnology, Eurasia Group, China, Geological Survey, University of Technology, “, ING Group, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Washington, Analysts, Corporation, CNN, Global, Wadhwani Center, AI, Technologies, CSIS, Rostec, Reuters, US Defense, Agency, Commerce Ministry Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, United States, Europe, Japan, University of Technology Sydney, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Germany, Russia, Korea, Teck, American, Netherlands, Australia, ” Lu, Eurasia, Canada

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