China intends to tighten control over global high-tech supply chains by introducing restrictions on the export of synthetic diamonds from November 8. This was stated in a comment for Prime News Agency by Antonina Levashenko, Head of International Best Practices Analysis Department at the Gaidar Institute.
According to the expert, synthetic diamonds are widely used in industry, including in the production of semiconductors and computer chips. China, as the world's largest supplier of this material, uses its dominant position to exert strategic influence on technology markets.
"China is taking advantage of its position as the main supplier of synthetic diamonds. First and foremost, China's strategy is to gain greater control over global high-tech supply chains, such as computer chips in the US. This is because synthetic diamonds are used in the production of semiconductors, among other things," explained Antonina Levashenko.
The expert also noted that the new restrictions may be a preventive measure in response to recent initiatives by US lawmakers calling for expanded bans on the export of chip manufacturing equipment to China.
The expert cited data from the US Geological Survey, according to which China supplied 77% of synthetic diamond powders to the US between 2020 and 2023. At the same time, 99% of diamond consumption in American industry is accounted for by synthetic materials, which are also used in chip production. There are no domestic reserves in the US, and other supplier countries provide less than 10% of the total volume, Antonina Levashenko said.