Chinese government officials said Friday that its commerce and customs authorities will require graphite exporters to apply for permits starting on Dec. 1. The officials said the move would safeguard China’s national security and interests as the world’s top producer of the mineral, which is used in electric-vehicle batteries. (South China Morning Post)

Talking point: It comes days after U.S. commerce officials heightened restrictions on certain computer chip exports to China. Industries that rely on critical minerals like graphite have long feared that China would use its power to “stockpile” or “dump” its supply, effectively moving prices. North American officials have tried to build a domestic supply chain for battery metals, but the policies aren’t perfect. In July, Novonix, a Nova Scotia-founded battery company, said China’s power in the graphite market was “the biggest risk to the industry,” and that U.S. incentive programs lacked clarity. On the flip side, Tom Burkett, CEO of consultancy Global Graphite Advisory, told Reuters on Friday that Canadian graphite firms could see a boost in investor and customer interest as Chinese supply tightens.