BEIJING (Reuters) – Large quantities of Antimon – metal used in batteries, chips and flame inhibitors – has been poured in the United States from Thailand and Mexico since China has banned US shipments last year, according to customs and shipping records, which show at least a single Chinese company in trade.
China dominates the supplies of Antimon as well as gallium and oralum, and is used in wireless communications, semi -conductors and military technology. Beijing banned the exports of these minerals to the United States on December 3 after the Washington campaign on the chips sector in China.
The resulting shift in commercial flows emphasizes the stampede of critical minerals and China’s struggle to enforce restrictions because it is proportional to the United States for economic, military and technological excellence.
Specifically, trade data clarifies the re -guidance of American shipments across the third countries – the case of Chinese officials has recognized.
Three industry experts confirmed this evaluation, including two executives of two American companies who told Reuters that they had obtained minerals restricted by China in recent months.
The United States imported 3,834 metric tons of Antimon oxides from Thailand and Mexico between December and April, and American customs data. That was more than the previous three years combined.
Meanwhile, Thailand and Mexico were shot in the first three export markets of China, according to Chinese customs data until May. The 10 best in 2023 was not made, the last year before Beijing’s exports is restricted.
Thailand and Mexico each of them is one Antimony, according to RFC Ambrian consultations, and the latter was reopened only in April. There are no countries in meaningful of the metal.
United States imports from Antimony, Gallium, and GERMANIUM this year on the correct path of equality or exceeding levels before the ban, albeit at higher prices.
RAM Bin Tizyoun, co -founder and CEO of the digital platform for shipping shipments, said that although there are clear evidence of transportation, trade data did not enable the companies concerned.
“It is a pattern we see and this pattern is fixed,” he told Reuters. He added that Chinese companies were “very creative in overcoming regulations.”
In May, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said that not specified entities abroad “colluded with local law stations” to evade export restrictions, and that stopping this activity is necessary for national security. Reuters have not answered about the shift in commercial flows since December.
The US Department of Trade, the Ministry of Trade in Thailand and the Mexico Ministry of economy did not respond to similar questions.
American law does not prevent American buyers from buying Chinese, gallium, or germanium. Chinese companies can charge minerals to countries other than the United States if they have a license.
Levi Parker, CEO and founder of the United States -based Gallant Metals, told Reuters how to get about 200 kilograms of gallium per month from China, without specifying the parties concerned due to the potential repercussions.
First, buyers in China get materials from producers. After that, the shipping company directs the packages, and renamed it differently as an iron, zinc or technician, through another Asian country.
Parker said the solutions are not perfect or cheap. He said he wanted to import 500 kilograms regularly, but the large shipments risked scrutiny, and Chinese logistics companies were “very cautious” due to the risks.
Quick trade
Thai Unipet Industries, a subsidiary of the Chinese Youngsun Chemicals company, which is based in Thailand, is carrying out a quick trade with the United States in recent months, which are previously not reported charging recorded by Reuters exhibition.
UNIPET has shipped at least 3,366 tons of Antimony products from Thailand to the United States between December and May, according to 36 invisions of shipping registered by trade platforms, and GERFORYETI and Export Genus. This was about 27 times the size of the UNIPET unit in the same period of the previous year.
Records are listed by the goods, the parties concerned, the outlets of origin and the receipt, but not necessarily the origin of raw materials. It does not indicate specific evidence of transition.
Thai UNIPET can not be accessed for comment. When Reuters called the company in one of the shipping records, the person who answered the number did not belong to UNIPET. Reuters sent questions to the registered UNIPET address but did not receive any response. Youngsun chemicals did not respond to questions about American shipments.
The American UNIPET shipment buyer is Youngsun & Essen, based in Texas, which before Bijin banned most of the third Antimony from Youngsun Chemicals. Jemisson and Essen, Jimmy Song, did not respond to questions about imports.
China launched a campaign in May against the transmission and smuggling of critical metal.
Crime can face fines and prohibit future exports. James Hussiao, the Hong Kong partner at the White & Kis law office, said to the treatment of serious cases as a smuggling, and leads to terms of prison for more than five years.
He said that the laws apply to Chinese companies even when transactions are carried out abroad. In transition cases, the Chinese authorities can prosecute sellers who fail to perform adequate due care to determine the end user, as HSIO added.
However, for anyone who wants to risk, large profits are available abroad, as the shortage has sent prices for Glyium, GERMANIUM and Antimony to records.
The three minerals were already subject to export licensing controls when China has banned exports to China’s exports of Antimon and germanium, still lower than levels that reach restrictions, according to Chinese customs data.
Ben Tizion said that Beijing is now facing a challenge to ensure that the export control system has teeth.
“While all these policies are in place, their enforcement is a completely different scenario,” he said.
(Alessandro Baroudi in Ghadangsk, Poland, Luis Jackson in Beijing, Ashitha Shevapasad and Sherine Elizabeth Vargiz in Bangaluru; additional reports from Ortai Sri Ling in Bangkok and Patima Desai in London; edited by David Crasho.)
