(TheRedAlertNews.com) – Trying to cripple the U.S. military, China’s recent ban on exporting critical minerals like antimony to the country has sent shockwaves through America’s military-industrial complex.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has escalated its economic warfare against America by prohibiting exports of gallium, germanium, antimony, and other vital materials to the U.S.
This calculated attack aims to choke off supplies needed to manufacture semiconductors, military equipment, and other critical technologies.
Beijing’s move is in direct retaliation for U.S. efforts to restrict China’s chip-making industry and curb its military advancements.
Most alarmingly, China’s ban specifically targets antimony – a little-known metal that plays an outsized role in America’s defense capabilities.
This strategic resource is essential for producing armor-piercing ammunition, night vision goggles, and even nuclear weapons.
By controlling the global antimony supply, China can now severely disrupt U.S. military operations and readiness.
The gravity of this situation cannot be overstated. During World War II, antimony was so crucial that the U.S. government classified it as a strategic metal. At that time, America supplied 90% of its own antimony needs.
Today, we have become dangerously dependent on imports – with China controlling over 60% of global production. This shift represents a catastrophic failure of U.S. leadership and foresight over recent decades.
The consequences of China’s antimony ban are already reverberating through global markets. Due to supply constraints, prices for this critical metal have surged over 200%, with further increases likely.
This price shock will drive up costs for U.S. defense contractors and strain military budgets at a time of growing geopolitical tensions. Meanwhile, China can continue accessing abundant domestic supplies to fuel its own military buildup.
Fortunately, some Americans are taking bold action to address this crisis. Military Metals Corp., a U.S.-based company, is working to reestablish North American antimony production and reduce our reliance on Chinese supplies.
Moreover, the urgency of securing antimony supplies is underscored by rapidly increasing U.S. military demand, particularly for artillery shell production.
As tensions rise globally and America seeks to support allies like Ukraine, ensuring a stable domestic antimony supply chain is more critical than ever.
The European Union’s recent investments in ammunition production further highlight the metal’s growing strategic importance on the world stage.
Washington has finally awakened to the antimony threat, adding it to the official list of critical minerals.
However, much more aggressive action is needed to counter China’s resource dominance and protect America’s military capabilities.
As the U.S. and its allies scramble to secure alternative sources of antimony, the battle for this metal’s control might very well shape the future of modern warfare and global power dynamics.
Copyright 2024, TheRedAlertNews.com
