China Bans Helium Exports as Global Supply Crunch Hits Chipmaking Gas

China has imposed an immediate temporary ban on helium exports to protect domestic supplies of the critical semiconductor material as global disruptions intensify.

The Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs announced the measure Friday, citing China’s foreign trade law.

The ban is aimed at insulating the country’s high-tech manufacturing and medical sectors from worsening shortages caused by the Middle East conflict and Russian export controls.