Spider senses are tingling because this feels like a move with a counter move reminiscent of the movie WarGames. Shall we play a game of tic-tac-toe? Under the cover of the Biden administration and Trump threatening BRICS with tariffs if they move away from the U.S dollar. Seemly, some U.S. bureaucrats(Not suspecting Joe was part of the decision-making) have raised restrictions on China's access to any foreign products, including even a single US-made chip. Announced on Monday the 2nd of December 2024.
China's reply is a ban on US exports of gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials.
4 Dec 2024 - China hits US with ban on critical minerals used in tech manufacturing
China bans US exports of gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials.
China has immediately retaliated against the US following new export curbs that the Biden administration announced Monday, which restrict a wider range of Chinese businesses from accessing any foreign products that include even a single US-made chip.
Given that some of these metals are used in chip manufacturing and possibly with an impact on electric vehicle batteries. Could you also say China has picked on Elon Musk with a little trolling for i-robots and electric cars? Given that Elon is now head of Trump's Department of Government Efficiency ( D.O.G.E). Antimony is used in bullets? Is there also a subtle troll out of The Matrix with the line 'Dodge this' slo-mo bullet time?
These are just comments from a peanut gallery either way. The trade/tariff war begins.
4 Dec - China bans export of critical minerals to US as trade tensions escalate
4 Dec 2024 - China bans exports to U.S. of some materials for electronics manufacturing - CBS News