As Russia continues it’s slow motion takeover of mineral rich nations in Africa and equally rich territory in Ukraine, China is increasingly doing their part to cripple US’s tech and military sectors by monopolizing these same resources. The Chinese government has prohibited the export of gallium and germanium to the United States. These minerals are essential for producing computer chips, military technologies like night vision equipment, and renewable energy components, including those in electric vehicles and solar panels. China’s dominance in the supply of these minerals is significant, accounting for 98% of primary gallium and 91% of primary germanium globally.
The U.S. Department of Defense maintains a strategic reserve of germanium but lacks a stockpile of gallium. The U.S. Geological Survey has estimated that a complete ban on these exports could lead to a loss of approximately $3.4 billion in U.S. GDP.
The minerals in question are not only vital for national security but also play a crucial role in everyday electronic devices such as smartphones, LEDs, and optical fibers. Given China’s predominant position in the supply chain, the U.S. faces significant challenges in securing alternative sources for these critical materials.
The China/Russia strategy of restricting American companies’ access to key minerals has recently picked up pace with Russia staging military coups in several mineral rich African countries, installing Kremlin-controlled governments which then immediately ban western nations from purchasing minerals such as Uranium, lithium and those important for hi-tech manufacturing. Given that Ukraine is the most mineral rich nation in Europe, it’s becoming very clear where all this is now headed and without a US administration that’s willing to dramatically expand America’s global military footprint, the China/Russia terror axis will may soon be a power that NATO cannot contend with.