Before the war in Ukraine. Not.

What could possibly go wrong this time? China being Germany’s biggest trade partner, I mean.

German industry urges reduced dependency after China export controls –
German industry on Tuesday warned that Europe must become more self-reliant in the hunt for raw materials needed for cleaner, more digital economies, after China caused alarm by announcing restrictions on some metals used for semiconductors.

China’s commerce ministry said on Monday it would require export permits for eight gallium products and six germanium products from Aug. 1 to protect national security.