Most likely it doesn't - but yet it should. Christmas lights use LEDs and LEDs contain gallium.
China produces 94% of the world's gallium and 94% of germanium
Two years ago: in July 2023, TerraManta suggested ...
... that gallium and germanium should be household names. So what are gallium and germanium?
Gallium is most common in semiconductors, transistors, and small electronic devices. It's also used to make LEDs. There is also military-grade Gallium Nitride: it can be found in advanced weapons technology produced by the US defense companies.
Germanium can be found in rectifiers, transistors, and weapons-sighting systems .
China produces 60 percent of the world’s germanium and 80 percent of gallium, according to the European industry association Critical Raw Materials Alliance (CRMA).
Data from the US Geological Survey shows that the US imports about 50% its supply of gallium and germanium metals from China.
The United States Department of Defense holds strategic stockpiles for germanium but no reserves for gallium.Â
Two years ago: starting August 1, 2023 certain gallium and germanium products will require an export license
It was only a matter of time until China decided to use its practical monopoly on processing and exporting rare earth metals.
... and TerraManta identified these risks on April 12, 2023 in What do F-35 Lightning II and iPhone 14 have in common?.
Fast forward: December 3, 2024
China banned exports to the United States of the critical minerals gallium, germanium and antimony that have widespread military applications, escalating trade tensions the day after Washington's latest crackdown on China's chip sector.
This is a direct response from China after on Monday, December 2 2024 the United States launched a third attempt in 3 years to crack down on China's semiconductor industry, restricting exports to 140 companies, including chip equipment maker Naura Technology Group.
You will pay more for antimony - a lot more
Last year, China also accounted for 48% of globally mined antimony, which is used in ammunition, infrared missiles, nuclear weapons and night-vision goggles, as well as in batteries and photovoltaic equipment.
Prices of antimony trioxide in Rotterdam had soared by 228% since the beginning of the year to $39,000 a metric ton on Nov. 28, 2024 (source: Argus)
Commodities ran, run, and will run the world
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