The United States is facing a shortage of critical minerals, including gallium, germanium, antimony, and other super-hard materials, after China blocked their exports. China is the world’s largest source of these vital elements, which are used in advanced semiconductor manufacturing, military applications, and national defense.
The US has struggled to mine these minerals domestically due to government regulations, making it increasingly difficult to access them. The Biden administration’s efforts to block sales of advanced chips to China have led to this unexpected development.
China’s export ban will challenge many semiconductor manufacturers in the coming months, exacerbating a global shortage that has already affected consumer electronics. The US military is particularly vulnerable, as gallium, germanium, and antimony are essential inputs for defense technologies.
The impact on the US economy could be significant, with estimates suggesting a multibillion-dollar decline if China blocked all exports of gallium alone. This highlights the risks of relying on international trade in critical minerals, particularly when relationships become strained.
China’s control over these vital elements has led to concerns about national security and the ability of the US military to keep pace with China’s growing defense capabilities. The US defense industrial base lacks the capacity and surge capabilities to meet production needs, making this shortage a pressing issue.
Source: https://www.deseret.com/utah/2024/12/25/china-banned-minerals-to-us