In 2008, China accounted for more than 90 percent of the world production of REEs, and by 2011, China accounted for 97 percent of the world production of rare earth minerals.
American leaders allowed this to happen.
In fact, the Biden regime’s point person on minerals and mineral production had no idea China controls critical minerals needed for electric vehicles.
China also leads the world in production of a number of precious minerals with military and technology applications.
China leads the world in antimony production.
According to Reuters – China also produces around 60% of the world’s germanium, or 180 metric tons in 2022, and over 90% of the world’s gallium, about 606 tons last year, according to research firm Antaike.
As The Gateway Pundit contributor Larry Johnson reported in 2023, another card that China can play, if it chooses, to punish the West and handcuff its ability to mount a military operation against China — suspend the export of rare earth metals to U.S. and European military manufacturers. This will hinder, if not prevent, the continued production of combat air craft, cruise missiles and other weapons systems.
China has decided to play that card.
On Tuesday, China announced a ban on the export of minerals antimony, gallium and germanium to the US. These minerals are used in military and technology applications.
CBS reported:
China announced on Tuesday a ban on the export of a number of minerals with military and technology applications to the U.S., one day after the Biden administration further curbed its own exports as part of its crackdown on China’s semiconductor industry.
The Chinese ban applies to the minerals antimony, gallium and germanium. It also restricts the export of graphite. The minerals are used in a wide range of things including semiconductors, infrared technologies, fiber optic cables, bullets and electric vehicle batteries.
“These new controls only underscore the importance of strengthening our efforts with other countries to de-risk and diversify critical supply chains away from PRC (China),” a White House spokesperson was quoted as saying by the Reuters news agency.
“In principle, the export of gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials to the United States shall not be permitted,” the Chinese Commerce Ministry said in its directive.
