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 technologies, including AI and biopharmaceuticals.
"In recent years, the application of solar technology in sensitive fields such as aerospace, national defense, unmanned equipment, and high-security-level infrastructure has been continuously expanding," the ministry said in the statement.
The statement continued, "The national security risks that may be caused by the export of solar technology have been constantly rising. It is necessary to implement timely and appropriate supervision."
The measures include a ban on exports of production technology for perovskite and solar modules, advanced technologies that offer higher efficiency and potential use in space-based solar power. Restrictions will also apply to certain technologies used to produce polysilicon, a key solar-panel material.
According to BloombergNEF analysts, the new controls could complicate efforts to diversify the global solar supply chain. Manufacturers in the US and India still depend on China for some critical materials, equipment, and technologies.
The question now is how the Trump administration will respond, if it can.
Trump administration trade officials could restrict exports of US high-purity quartz to China through export controls and licensing requirements.
China's solar dominance remains vulnerable to restrictions on US-sourced high-purity quartz, giving Trump potential leverage.
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