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[ZNPaaneah]

Originally Posted by awareness

Or China could crimp our access to their rare earth metals, needed in everything from cell phones, defense, satellites, and most technology. That's another nuclear option at China's disposal.

China doesn't have a monopoly on rare earth metals. At best they have the best price. The result of a trade war would be the development of other suppliers. The risk to China is manifold:

1. Do they ramp down production and shutter some mining operations?
2. Does a competitor get an inside shot at selling to the US and perhaps taking future business away as well.

The worst case for us is that we have to pay extra for our Lithium or some other metal. Instead of $100 for a battery, maybe it will now be $105. We'll survive.