China has thrown a wrench into the global supply chain by slapping new export controls on antimony metals, ores, and oxides, effective September 15. This move could spell trouble for American arms manufacturers who are heavily dependent on this crucial resource. Companies aiming to export these materials will now need to navigate a complex licensing process for dual-use products—a requirement that might not be as benign as it sounds.
The Chinese Commerce Ministry insists that these new restrictions aren’t targeted at any specific country but are meant to safeguard China’s national security and uphold its non-proliferation commitments. However, with China producing nearly half of the world’s antimony ore in 2023, and the US being a significant importer, it’s clear who could be hardest hit by this decision.
Antimony, though not widely known outside of industrial circles, is a mineral of critical importance. The US International Trade Commission classifies it as essential to both economic and national security, putting it on par with rare earth elements, cobalt, and uranium. Often described as “the most important mineral you never heard of,” antimony is integral to a vast array of applications.
In civilian uses, antimony is indispensable. It’s found in flame retardants, lead-acid batteries, plastics, ceramics, consumer electronics, and safety clothing. But its military applications are even more striking. Antimony is used in armor-piercing bullets, tracer ammunition, night vision goggles, laser sights, communications equipment, and even nuclear weapons components. This broad utility underscores why China’s control over this mineral is so alarming for the US.
To put things in perspective, China’s reserves of antimony are colossal. In 2023 alone, China mined at least 40,000 tons of the mineral, with its control extending to up to 90% of the global antimony supply chain, in conjunction with Russia and Tajikistan. The US, meanwhile, has been entirely reliant on imports since closing its last antimony mine in 2001.
This dependency has prompted significant moves within the US. For example, the Department of Defense supported the reopening of a defunct antimony mine in Idaho in 2023. Perpetua Resources secured a substantial $1.8 billion loan from the US Export-Import Bank to revitalize the mine, with plans to bring it back online by the late 2020s. This effort highlights the urgency with which the US is trying to address its vulnerability.
China’s strategic control over antimony fits into a broader pattern of tightening grip on rare earths and other critical minerals. As global economic competition intensifies and the US grapples with the consequences of decades of deindustrialization, securing alternative sources for these minerals has become increasingly critical. Conflicts and political instability in resource-rich regions such as Ukraine, Bolivia, Venezuela, and parts of Africa are seen as partly driven by competition for these valuable resources.
US media has sounded alarms about the potential impact of China’s restrictions. They warn that a halt in Chinese antimony exports could severely disrupt American military operations, potentially grounding US aircraft, immobilizing tanks, and undermining the effectiveness of advanced surface-to-air missiles. With the US currently ill-equipped to replace Chinese imports with domestic or allied sources, the stakes are high.
China’s recent move represents a significant escalation in its control over global mineral resources, presenting a formidable challenge for the US and its allies. As the geopolitical landscape shifts, the scramble for critical minerals like antimony will likely become even more pronounced, shaping the future of global security and industrial capability.
