China Proposes Further Export Curbs On Battery, Critical Minerals Tech (reuters.com)
- Reference: 0175824711
- News link: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/25/01/03/223226/china-proposes-further-export-curbs-on-battery-critical-minerals-tech
- Source link: https://www.reuters.com/technology/china-proposes-further-export-curbs-battery-critical-minerals-tech-2025-01-02/
> China's commerce ministry has [1]proposed export restrictions on some technology used to make battery components and process critical minerals lithium and gallium, a document, opens new tab issued on Thursday showed. If implemented, they would be the latest in a series of export restrictions and bans targeting critical minerals and the technology used to process them, areas in which Beijing is globally dominant. Their announcement precedes the inauguration later this month of Donald Trump for a second term during which he is expected to use tariffs and various trade restrictions against other countries, in particular China. [...]
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> The proposed expansion and revisions of restrictions on technology used to extract and process lithium or prepare battery components could also hinder the overseas expansion plans of major Chinese battery makers, including CATL, Gotion, and EVE Energy. Some technologies to extract gallium would also be restricted. Thursday's announcement does not say when the proposed changes, which are open for public comment until Feb. 1, could come into force.
Adam Webb, head of battery raw materials at consultancy Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, notes that China retains a 70% grip on the global processing of lithium into the material needed to make EV batteries. "These proposed measures would be a move to maintain this high market share and to secure lithium chemical production for China's domestic battery supply chains," he said. "Depending on the level of export restrictions imposed, this could pose challenges for Western lithium producers hoping to use Chinese technology to produce lithium chemicals."
[1] https://www.reuters.com/technology/china-proposes-further-export-curbs-battery-critical-minerals-tech-2025-01-02/
China responds to Trump and BeauSD posts it here. (Score:1)
Someone with no understanding of international trade has promised tariff's. China has responded.
The story here shouldn't be "China has responded" but rather "Trump is a moron child who know nothing of international trade."
But hey, it's a SlashDot Weekend and BeauSD is hard at work parrotting... crap.
Re: (Score:2)
If I recall correctly, during Trump's last term when he was attacking Canada, we responded with actions that targeted things Trump personally cared about. I don't recall it being particularly effective, but you can't just let him bully you or he'll take everything.
It'll be interesting to see how we respond this time. So far it's been, "Oh yes, Mr. Trump, let me lick your balls clean", probably because Canada's right is rising as "the only counter to Trump" and the US-funded media in Canada has been consta
Sanctions work in both directions. (Score:2)
Something that all politicians fail to grasp. Sanctions are great whilst you have a monopoly on some aspect of the trade.
Both parties here are incentivising alternatives.
Short term solution (Score:3)
That's probably a trigger they should be reluctant to pull, because China's only currently 70% of the market.
It might take some time to change, but between other countries starting to exploit their own lithium resources and battery technology evolving, restricting exports just speeds up the process where China loses market dominance and doesn't get the money any longer.
Re: (Score:2)
I haven't studied chemistry since high school, clearly but why not making batteries out of sodium-ion or potassium-ion...
Re: (Score:2)
Sodium is already a thing (e.g. Natron Energy), but something from high school chemistry that might have stuck is that as you move further down that column, the metals become more (and dangerously so) reactive.
Re: (Score:2)
> why not making batteries out of sodium-ion or potassium-ion...
Sodium batteries work okay for static applications like grid storage but are too heavy for mobile applications like EVs and phones.
Sodium batteries have some advantages: They work better in cold weather, can charge faster than lithium, and can endure more cycles.
I don't know of any reason to use potassium for batteries since sodium is cheaper and lighter, but they do exist: [1]potassium-ion battery [wikipedia.org].
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium-ion_battery
NaIon Batteries (Score:2)
I remember reading that China is actually using NaIon batteries in a number of EVs today. They don't have the range of LiIon, but are much cheaper.
Looking, it seems that they're just starting/started this year.
[1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org]
[2]They're boasting 200 wh/kg. [arstechnica.com]
Lithium Ion didn't exceed that until ~2000.
Basically, it's looking that if you need an EV with 250-300 miles range and extreme durability/cold weather performance, NaIon may be your choice, while if you need 300-400 miles or more, LiIon will
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium-ion_battery
[2] https://arstechnica.com/cars/2024/12/lower-cost-sodium-ion-batteries-are-finally-having-their-moment/