In July this year, the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs issued an announcement, deciding to implement temporary restrictions on the export of helium.
Previously, Europe announced that it would no longer import helium from Russia. This means that after the outbreak of the Middle Eastern wars, the global supply of helium, which is crucial for chip manufacturing, has been strained. The United States has become a key source of helium for Europe.
However, on October 23 local time, the U.S. government announced that helium would be classified as a critical material. The reason for this is that helium plays a crucial role in semiconductor manufacturing and energy production, as well as due to the growing concerns about global supply disruptions. This decision will provide additional federal funding for U.S. helium producers and subject this material to stricter government regulation.
According to Euronews, this move by the United States is causing increasing pressure on Europe's helium supply.
Helium, as a rare and inert resource, is considered a strategic material. It is commonly used in the manufacture of semiconductors, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) superconducting magnets, and the pressurization of rocket fuels in aerospace and defense industries. Therefore, it is often referred to as the "golden gas".
In semiconductor manufacturing, helium plays an indispensable role and has no substitute. It is widely used in core production processes such as wafer cooling, lithography, and leak detection, directly affecting the yield and stability of chip manufacturing.
It is reported that the United States is the world’s largest producer of natural gas and helium. Qatar and Russia are also among the major producers of helium.
Reports indicate that Qatar’s helium exports have been severely disrupted due to Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz during its war with Israel and the United States. The attacks on Qatar’s infrastructure by Iran have further affected the supply of helium.
On the 23rd, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Christie said that the Trump administration is seeking to reduce reliance on foreign sources for critical materials, promote domestic manufacturing, support U.S. jobs, and strengthen economic and national security.
European News Network reports that the United States is making efforts to strengthen domestic helium production, but Europe faces increasing difficulties in ensuring sufficient helium supply.
The Russian government issued a statement in April stating that in order to ensure the stability of supply in its domestic market, Russia has implemented temporary export controls on helium. Russia is the third largest producer of helium in the world, with its production accounting for approximately 8% of the global total.
For a long time, China has been one of the world's largest importers of helium. Its export volume is limited. In 2024, markets that import this rare gas include the EU, Japan, France, South Korea, and the United States.
According to the Ministry of Commerce website, on July 10, the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs issued an announcement: In accordance with the relevant provisions of the "Foreign Trade Law of the People's Republic of China", the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs have decided to impose temporary export restrictions on helium (Customs commodity number: 2804290010). This announcement takes effect from the date of publication, and any subsequent adjustments will be announced separately.
