On December 3, 2024, China imposed an export ban on gallium, germanium, and antimony to the U.S., coupled with stricter graphite reviews, following expanded U.S. restrictions on advanced chip sales. These minerals are critical for electric vehicles, electronics, and military equipment. With no domestic gallium, germanium, or antimony production, the U.S. faces a significant $3.4 billion economic impact, underscoring its vulnerability to China’s mineral dominance. While germanium recycling offers a stopgap, long-term supply chain resilience will be a big challenge.
My Take
The $3.4 billion economic impact represents the projected decrease in the U.S. GDP due to China’s export ban on gallium and germanium. The U.S. Geological Survey developed the estimate using a model assessing the effects of critical mineral supply disruptions on the U.S. economy. Disruptions to gallium, germanium, and antimony threaten U.S. national security by undermining advanced military technologies, including radar systems, thermal imaging, secure communications, and satellite infrastructure, critical for defense and intelligence operations.
This latest escalation highlights the urgency of the U.S. accelerating domestic mining, recycling technologies, and partnerships with allied nations to secure critical minerals. Building supply chain resilience will support our economy and national security.
#CriticalMinerals #SupplyChainResilience #Geopolitics #China #RareMetals #USManufacturing #TechIndustry #EVs #NationalSecurity #MineralShortages
Link to article:
https://www.voronoiapp.com/geopolitics/Chinas-Mineral-Export-Ban-What-to-Know–3351
Credit: Visual Capitalist