RE:RE:RE:RE: Santa's ElvesAgreed Red; and, given the export restriction trend taking shape, more than ever now the US will need to accelerate securing its' critical mineral supplies to ensure it stays at least one step ahead of China to protect its' civilian and military industries. Here are some CSIS article points highlighting the realities of the current situation. Seems to me that FT has a bespoke glove.
On Tuesday, December 3, China announced stringent export restrictions on “dual-use” technologies for both civilian and military use, specifically targeted at the United States. These restrictions double down on previously announced controls on these metals, going so far as to ban shipments of antimony, gallium, and germanium to the United States. The new restrictions marked several firsts in the trade war—the first time Chinese critical minerals export restrictions were targeted at the United States rather than all countries and the first time restrictions on critical minerals were a direct response to restrictions on advanced technologies. Critical mineral security is now intrinsically linked to the escalating tech trade war. Beijing sends a strong message to Washington that it is not afraid to further escalate the trade war by cutting off the United States from critical minerals needed for strategic industries There is ample evidence that the trade war will escalate given the new administration is even more hawkish toward China and intends to impose higher tariffs. China’s Ministry of Commerce noted that Washington is “weaponizing trade and technology” under the guise of national security.
The United States will need to deploy incentives and financing instruments to encourage investments with “existing friends” and “new friends” to secure a supply of vital resources.
China has dominance in a much larger number of commodities than these four minerals. Additional export controls—including bans—are likely as a new administration takes office with ambitious tariff policies and a history of trade wars.
https://www.csis.org/analysis/china-imposes-its-most-stringent-critical-minerals-export-restrictions-yet-amidst