China’s critical minerals dominance threatens US military supply chain, report says

By Liu Zhen – myNews

China’s tightening export controls on critical minerals could hit more than three-quarters of the United States’ weapons supply chain, according to a new study.

Researchers from Govini, a defence acquisition information firm, identified 80,000 weapons parts that were made using antimony, gallium, germanium, tungsten or tellurium – the global supply of which are all dominated by China – “meaning nearly 78 per cent of all [Pentagon] weapon systems are potentially affected”.

“China’s recent export bans and restrictions on critical minerals have exposed an open secret: despite political rhetoric, the United States is fundamentally dependent on China for essential components of its weapon systems,” the report said.