How U.S. buyers of critical minerals bypass China's export ban

A container ship sails off from a container terminal in Qingdao in eastern China’s Shandong province Sunday, April 6, 2025. (Chinatopix Via AP) BEIJING — Unusually large quantities of antimony – a metal used in batteries, chips and flame retardants – have poured into the United States from Thailand and Mexico since China barred U.S. shipments last year, according to customs and shipping records, which show at least one Chinese-owned company is involved in the trade. China dominates the supply of antimony as well as gallium and germanium, used in telecommunications, semiconductors and military technology. Beijing banned exports of these…