In the relentless chess game of global power dynamics, the United States consistently flaunts its prowess through sanctions against China—yet, a new strategic wave is swelling from the East

In a countermeasure against relentless American sanctions, China has imposed restrictions on the export of crucial minerals such as gallium, germanium, and antimony.

Following these export constraints, the prices for these materials surged expeditiously in Western markets, appearing like a delicate but fierce tempest brewing just below the surface.

Notably, the price of antimony alone skyrocketed by a staggering 230% as the ramifications of China's actions began to unfold.

While soaring prices are eye-catching, the more pressing concern is that China essentially holds a monopoly over these key materials.

This monopoly has profound implications for the United States’ cutting-edge military capabilities and its advanced semiconductor industry, the latter serving as the backbone of modern technology.

As experts have noted, this restriction hints at what some are calling a "periodic table war," emphasizing the strategic significance of these elements in the grand tapestry of global power.

Yet, many may ponder the relevance of gallium, germanium, and antimony—do they indeed hold such significance?

To grasp this, let’s begin with the element gallium.

Gallium is pivotal in the realm of technology, notably in gallium nitride, a material now integral to electric chargers and other advanced electronics.

The most advanced active phased array radars rely on gallium nitride, which frequently outperforms its predecessor, gallium arsenide, across several critical metrics such as performance, efficiency, and longevity.

In 2021, gallium production soared to 430 tons globally, with an astonishing 97.67% of that originating from China.

Furthermore, China retains the world’s largest reserves of gallium—totaling roughly 190,000 tons—which represents 68% of global reserves.

Consequently, following the announcement of China’s gallium export restrictions, major defense contractor Lockheed Martin voiced concerns about dramatically scaling back F-35 fighter jet production.

Although the U.S

has its own limited gallium resources—approximately 4,500 tons—the industrial chain necessary for production is significantly less developed compared to China’s.

Indeed, gallium isn’t mined but rather refined, necessitating a comprehensive supporting industrial ecosystem that is presently absent in the U.S.

Compounding the issue is that gallium is a byproduct of aluminum production, with China accounting for an impressive 57% of the global aluminum output.

China additionally boasts the most sophisticated gallium extraction technology, ensuring a consistent and efficient supply.

To illustrate this, extracting 290 tons of gallium would require refining approximately 40 million tons of aluminum, a feat that would demand about 54 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity.

Given the current infrastructure in the U.S., replicating such a complex process seems an uphill battle, if not outright impossible.

Previous reports have indicated that if the U.S

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sought to establish a gallium supply chain from scratch, it could take up to a decade and a half.

Next, the focus shifts to germanium.

Without germanium, pivotal components such as lenses, prisms, optical filters, night vision devices, and solar panels cannot be manufactured.

China also dominates germanium resources, accounting for 41% of reserves and at least 70% of global production.

Although the U.Spossesses germanium resources, domestic mining has not been fully exploited.

Even in a hypothetical scenario where the U.S

extracted germanium, the raw material would still require processing in China, renowned for its efficient and cost-effective processing techniques.

Thus, without Chinese cooperation on gallium and germanium, other nations find themselves facing dire shortages.

Statistics show that between January and October 2024, China's gallium exports plummeted to 156 tons—a nearly 50% decrease compared to the same period in 2023—while germanium exports fell to 136 tons, also reflecting a significant decline.

A paramount concern arises particularly for the U.S., which relies on China for over 50% of these two essential materials.

Countries like Japan and South Korea also struggle; their domestic production falls short, prompting substantial imports from China to meet their needs.

Finally, let's address antimony.

In military applications, antimonide gallium proves crucial for producing light-sensitive devices and infrared detectors used in weaponry and munitions.

China accounts for an eye-popping 80% of global antimony production, holding reserves of around 400,000 tons, or roughly one-third of global reserves.

On a positive note, the U.S

is capable of notable antimony production, being the only country capable of substantial outputs among the three metals discussed.

However, the downside lies in the fact that there is only a single supplier in the U.S., creating a precarious monopoly.

This results in an unsettling extra layer of complexity in America's supply chains, where capitalist practices lead to inflated prices due to monopolistic behaviors.

Merely raising the prices doesn’t yield a positive outcome, as those changes can also reflect in GDP as seen when values double, yet still leave the market in ensnaring snares of inflation and dependence.

Indeed, the harshest foes to Americans are often the capitalists within their own infrastructure.

As negotiations and strategies evolve, it becomes evident that the United States has relied heavily on weapons of economic sanctions against China, without a reciprocal concern for the retaliatory measures that China may deploy.

If the U.S