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America is about to find out how fucked they are as Beijing halts critical minerals and magnets [View all]
China is running circles around Donald Trump and his Confederate base of neo-fascists. Recently, Europe has snubbed him and is embracing China instead. China has now halted delivery of magnets and rare minerals, some of which are only available from China. China has also banned the sale of magnets to American companies, particularly those that contract with the US military.
From the NY Times:
China has suspended exports of a wide range of critical minerals and magnets, threatening to choke off supplies of components central to automakers, aerospace manufacturers, semiconductor companies, and military contractors around the world.
Shipments of the magnets, essential for assembling everything from cars and drones to robots and missiles, have been halted at many Chinese ports while the Chinese government drafts a new regulatory system. Once in place, the new system could permanently prevent supplies from reaching certain companies, including American military contractors.
The official crackdown is part of China’s retaliation for President Trump’s sharp increase in tariffs that started on April 2.
On April 4, the Chinese government ordered restrictions on the export of six heavy rare earth metals, which are refined entirely in China, as well as rare earth magnets, 90 percent of which are produced in China. The metals, and special magnets made with them, can now be shipped out of China only with special export licenses.
Shipments of the magnets, essential for assembling everything from cars and drones to robots and missiles, have been halted at many Chinese ports while the Chinese government drafts a new regulatory system. Once in place, the new system could permanently prevent supplies from reaching certain companies, including American military contractors.
The official crackdown is part of China’s retaliation for President Trump’s sharp increase in tariffs that started on April 2.
On April 4, the Chinese government ordered restrictions on the export of six heavy rare earth metals, which are refined entirely in China, as well as rare earth magnets, 90 percent of which are produced in China. The metals, and special magnets made with them, can now be shipped out of China only with special export licenses.
The size of their stash of critical products depends on how soon the consequences of cutting-edge technology, such as electric cars, missile systems, spacecraft, drones, and Internal Combustion Engines. These rare metals are also used in "manufacturing jet engines, lasers, car headlights, and certain spark plugs."
Additionally, the minerals are part of some magnets. These may be imported but not to the United States.
The article is compelling.
9 replies
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