Beijing Tightens Grip On Solar Exports: Will Trump Play America’s Quartz Card?

Beijing’s new restrictions on advanced solar technologies and equipment suggest the Trump-Xi meeting in Washington did little to ease trade tensions. The new measures aim to preserve China’s technological advantage as the US and India expand domestic solar manufacturing. This reinforces ongoing concerns about critical materials, where Beijing has placed export controls on tungsten, germanium, gallium, and antimony. Bloomberg cites a statement released by China’s Ministry of Commerce earlier this morning announcing that it would add 12 solar-related technologies and core equipment to its export-control list, citing national security concerns. The changes form part of a broader revision covering 40…