China resumes gallium exports to Japan after 4-month pause as rare earth magnet sales surge
The resumption of exports is expected to be tied to civilian demand, as the metal is a key material in chips, fibre optics and EV chargers
A block with the symbol, atomic number and mass number of gallium is seen in this illustration taken February 6, 2026. Photo: Reuters
Mia Nurmamat
Published: 5:00pm, 20 Jun 2026Updated: 5:03pm, 20 Jun 2026
China has resumed gallium exports to Japan after a four-month suspension amid continued relaxation of its rare earth magnet shipments to global markets.
China exported 6,000 kilograms of gallium to Japan in May, making it the country’s sole overseas destination for the strategic metal during the month, according to customs data released on Saturday.
The shipment marked the first resumption of exports since Beijing suspended shipments of both gallium and germanium to Japan earlier this year. Exports of germanium to Japan, however, remain on hold.
The two metals are key materials used in semiconductors, fibre optics, EV fast chargers and renewable-energy technologies.
The export curbs came after relations between Beijing and Tokyo deteriorated last year amid tensions over Taiwan and security issues, prompting a series of Chinese restrictions on Japanese trade and exchanges.
The metals have both civilian and military applications: germanium-based infrared optics are used in military surveillance systems, while gallium is essential for semiconductors deployed in radar and missile-guidance systems.
A rare earth mine in Baotou, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China. Photo: VCG via Getty Images
“Given that overall China-Japan relations have yet to see any major improvement, gallium exports destined for military applications in Japan are likely still suspended,” said Xu Tianchen, senior economist at the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
“The resumption of exports could well be tied to civilian demand, after all, gallium is widely used in electric vehicles and telecommunications equipment,” he added.
Meanwhile, China’s exports of rare earth permanent magnets to Japan surged 380 per cent year on year in May, although shipments were down nearly 35 per cent from April.
The pattern was broadly mirrored at the global level as manufacturers worldwide have accelerated efforts to rebuild rare earth magnet inventories following a thaw in US-China relations. China’s total exports of rare earth magnets rose 282 per cent from a year earlier in May, although they slipped nearly 8 per cent from the previous month.
“The monthly decline is probably just normal fluctuation,” Xu said. “There has been no significant tightening or relaxation of rare earth export controls.”
Nearly 40 per cent of those shipments went to the European Union, where exports jumped 364 per cent year on year, though they fell 9 per cent from April.
Shipments to the US soared 919 per cent from a year earlier, while edging down 7.7 per cent month-on-month.
Rare earths have remained a major flashpoint in US-China trade relations. In April 2025, Beijing imposed export controls on seven rare earth elements and permanent magnets in response to US President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs.
Following a temporary easing of bilateral tensions after Trump’s visit to China, Beijing said in May that it would review applications for exports of rare earth elements “for compliant, civilian use”.
