The Official Politics Thread (enter at your own risk)

[Come On You Irons]

There. Resident WHO political commentators and gurus can knock yourselves out in here and conduct your endless bickering. All other threads will be locked.

[Nutsin]

What’s the word in Spain, Portugal, France and Belgium?
I’m hearing the Russian supplied electricity has been shut off. Huge parts of each country are experiencing black outs.

What’s the trusted media over there saying, did someone blow a fuse?




 

"Trusted media" oh how ironic!

Sorry forgot yanks don't get irony.

Has someone put the plug back in yet or are they still in the dark?

[BillyJenningsBoots]

What’s the word in Spain, Portugal, France and Belgium?
I’m hearing the Russian supplied electricity has been shut off. Huge parts of each country are experiencing black outs.

What’s the trusted media over there saying, did someone blow a fuse?



 

"Trusted media" oh how ironic!

Sorry forgot yanks don't get irony.

[only1billybonds]

Mad dog.

Remember when Starmer was insisting Boris should resign over Pincher pinching some blokes arse?

Let's wait and see how long it takes 2TK to comment on the episode you highlighted.

[goose]

In reaction to Trump’s tariffs the IMF have downgraded its growth forecast for many countries.

US has gone from 2.7 to 1.6%
UK from 1.6 to 1.1%
Canada from 2 to 1.4%

Elsewhere, Trump had a hissy fit because the FED wouldn’t cut interest rates.



 

That;'s because the Tarffis will cause inflation in the US. Assumimg the UIS suppliers pass on the tariff costs to the consumer. The question is will the public buy american or more to the point has for example the US motor industry have the capacity to fill the gap in orders? If not these things take time and in the short term the markets re being killed. Tariffs don't work and Trump could put the world into recession. 

WOW thanks for the insight.

In other news, water is wet.

[Mad Dog]

I see wes streeting's aide sam gould has avoided jail after flashing and wanking at a 13 year old.

Gotta keep people like him ad huw Edwards out of prison to make space for tweeting dissenters

[Swiss.]

In reaction to Trump’s tariffs the IMF have downgraded its growth forecast for many countries.

US has gone from 2.7 to 1.6%
UK from 1.6 to 1.1%
Canada from 2 to 1.4%

Elsewhere, Trump had a hissy fit because the FED wouldn’t cut interest rates.


 

That;'s because the Tarffis will cause inflation in the US. Assumimg the UIS suppliers pass on the tariff costs to the consumer. The question is will the public buy american or more to the point has for example the US motor industry have the capacity to fill the gap in orders? If not these things take time and in the short term the markets re being killed. Tariffs don't work and Trump could put the world into recession. 

[Swiss.]

Soon UK nationals will need to produce visas to travel to EU countries.

Brexit just keeps giving. 

[Swiss.]

No issues in Belgium but they are reporting issues for Spain and Portugal. 

[Nutsin]

What’s the word in Spain, Portugal, France and Belgium?
I’m hearing the Russian supplied electricity has been shut off. Huge parts of each country are experiencing black outs.

What’s the trusted media over there saying, did someone blow a fuse?

 

[goose]

In reaction to Trump’s tariffs the IMF have downgraded its growth forecast for many countries.

US has gone from 2.7 to 1.6%
UK from 1.6 to 1.1%
Canada from 2 to 1.4%

Elsewhere, Trump had a hissy fit because the FED wouldn’t cut interest rates.

 

[BillyJenningsBoots]

Oh you changed it. Now it’s “in large volume”

that might take a minute but it’s do-able. We’re way more self sufficient than any other country in the world and that includes the EU. Don’t believe me look at energy for an example.

If you are so self sufficient why do you have massive trade deficits apparently with every country in jn the world. 

You really are an idiot!

 

As Trump said the deficits are due to poor policy from previous US Governments and corruption. The WTO did their part and assistance in helping Europe rebuild after WW 2 played a part. The Paris climate accord too.

however Trump is finally addressing it. 

Energy independence exists under Trump because he pulled us out of the Paris climate accord and is shutting down other leftist policies like the Green deal that is crippling the U K right now.

You really are clueless.

 

 

So energy sufficient that Canada threatened to pull the plug on New York was it?!

So corruption is now the cause of trade deficits - you really are laugh a minute ! 

[Nutsin]

Oh you changed it. Now it’s “in large volume”

that might take a minute but it’s do-able. We’re way more self sufficient than any other country in the world and that includes the EU. Don’t believe me look at energy for an example.

If you are so self sufficient why do you have massive trade deficits apparently with every country in jn the world. 

You really are an idiot!

 

As Trump said the deficits are due to poor policy from previous US Governments and corruption. The WTO did their part and assistance in helping Europe rebuild after WW 2 played a part. The Paris climate accord too.

however Trump is finally addressing it. 

Energy independence exists under Trump because he pulled us out of the Paris climate accord and is shutting down other leftist policies like the Green deal that is crippling the U K right now.

You really are clueless.

 

[Nutsin]

It’s true that you cannot produce semiconductors in anything like large volumes without China.

Same goes for EV batteries & solar panels, key ingredients for pharmaceuticals and chemicals for things like fertilizers.

Oh you changed it. Now it’s “in large volume”

that might take a minute but it’s do-able. We’re way more self sufficient than any other country in the world and that includes the EU. Don’t believe me look at energy for an example.

If you are so self sufficient why do you have massive trade deficits apparently with every country in jn the world. 

You really are an idiot!

 

 

As Trump said the deficits are due to poor policy from previous US Governments and corruption. The WTO did their part and assistance in helping Europe rebuild after WW 2 played a part. The Paris climate accord too.

however Trump is finally addressing it. 

Energy independence exists under Trump because he pulled us out of the Paris climate accord and is shutting down other leftist policies like the Green deal that is crippling the U K right now.

You really are clueless.

[BillyJenningsBoots]

The U.S. has limited domestic production of gallium and germanium and relies heavily on imports, with China supplying about 95% of its gallium and over 50% of its germanium. However, alternate supply options exist:

1. **Domestic Sources**: The U.S. has gallium and germanium deposits, but mining is minimal. Potential sites include Sheep Creek in Montana, Round Top in Texas, and zinc deposits in Washington, Alaska, and Tennessee for germanium. The Apex mine in Utah produced both metals in the 1980s but is closed. Restarting or expanding domestic mining is possible but faces environmental and economic hurdles.

2. **Allied Countries**: 
   - **Canada**: Teck Resources in British Columbia is North America’s largest germanium producer, extracting it from zinc refining. Canada also produces gallium at high purity through companies like 5NPlus.
   - **Australia**: Gallium and germanium can be recovered as byproducts from zinc and alumina refineries, though production is limited.
   - **Japan, South Korea, and Germany**: These countries produce gallium (Japan, South Korea, Russia) and germanium (Belgium, Finland, Russia), offering potential import sources.
   - **Belgium**: Umicore produces both metals, and Belgium has seen a 224% increase in Chinese germanium exports (2022–2024), some of which may be reexported to the U.S.

3. **Recycling**: Secondary sources, like recycling e-waste, could supply up to 10% of gallium and 30% of germanium globally, though U.S. infrastructure for this is underdeveloped.

4. **Stockpiles**: The U.S. Department of Defense holds a germanium stockpile but none for gallium, providing a temporary buffer.

5. **Substitutes**: Silicon can replace gallium in low-end applications (e.g., automotive chips) and germanium in some electronics, but performance suffers, especially in advanced tech like military systems or satellites.

Despite China’s 2023 export controls and 2024 ban on gallium and germanium to the U.S., trade data shows these metals still reach the U.S. via third countries like Belgium. However, if China tightens restrictions on these indirect routes, supply disruptions could cost the U.S. economy $3.4 billion in GDP, per USGS estimates. Diversifying supply chains through allied production, domestic mining, and recycling is critical, but scaling these alternatives will take time and investment.(https://www.stimson.org/2025/chinas-ger ... ed-states/)(https://www.usgs.gov/news/national-news ... orts-could)

(https://unu.edu/merit/article/china-has ... on-limited)



A whopping $3.4 billion. How will the US economy manage? Ffs!

The US, or the rest of the world simply cannot make semiconductors without China, and if you knew what you were c&p about you’d know that processing & refinement of those elements is the key. China controls about 85% of global capacity.

You said China cannot live without American chips, when the reality is that nobody can make them without China.

 

That’s simply not true. There is nothing that China makes that the US or the rest of the world cannot.
Nothing.


Latest news is the USA are about to walk away from the negotiations with Russia and Ukraine. Time to tighten your purse strings you boys have a war to fund.

you can continue to talk trade with China while you are at it, so they can continue to support Putin. 
oh and you can continue to key each others Tesla’s too.

 

 

It was only a matter of time before Nutsack had one of his mincey hissy fits... "you boys have a war to fund" how camp can one prick sound, hes so Charles Hawtry! 

[Nutsin]

Yeah, I have a bit more faith in the country that built the Panama Canal and the J Edgar Hoover Dam, the Internet, computers etc:


 

[BillyJenningsBoots]

 

That’s simply not true. There is nothing that China makes that the US or the rest of the world cannot.
Nothing.


Latest news is the USA are about to walk away from the negotiations with Russia and Ukraine. Time to tighten your purse strings you boys have a war to fund.

you can continue to talk trade with China while you are at it, so they can continue to support Putin. 
oh and you can continue to key each others Tesla’s too.

It’s true that you cannot produce semiconductors in anything like large volumes without China.

Same goes for EV batteries & solar panels, key ingredients for pharmaceuticals and chemicals for things like fertilizers.

Oh you changed it. Now it’s “in large volume”

that might take a minute but it’s do-able. We’re way more self sufficient than any other country in the world and that includes the EU. Don’t believe me look at energy for an example.

If you are so self sufficient why do you have massive trade deficits apparently with every country in jn the world. 

You really are an idiot!

[goose]

 

That’s simply not true. There is nothing that China makes that the US or the rest of the world cannot.
Nothing.


Latest news is the USA are about to walk away from the negotiations with Russia and Ukraine. Time to tighten your purse strings you boys have a war to fund.

you can continue to talk trade with China while you are at it, so they can continue to support Putin. 
oh and you can continue to key each others Tesla’s too.

It’s true that you cannot produce semiconductors in anything like large volumes without China.

Same goes for EV batteries & solar panels, key ingredients for pharmaceuticals and chemicals for things like fertilizers.

Oh you changed it. Now it’s “in large volume”

that might take a minute but it’s do-able. We’re way more self sufficient than any other country in the world and that includes the EU. Don’t believe me look at energy for an example.

Well making a handful of semiconductors won’t get you anywhere.

and no, it won’t take a minute. Try decades.

[Nutsin]

The US, or the rest of the world simply cannot make semiconductors without China, and if you knew what you were c&p about you’d know that processing & refinement of those elements is the key. China controls about 85% of global capacity.

You said China cannot live without American chips, when the reality is that nobody can make them without China.

 

That’s simply not true. There is nothing that China makes that the US or the rest of the world cannot.
Nothing.


Latest news is the USA are about to walk away from the negotiations with Russia and Ukraine. Time to tighten your purse strings you boys have a war to fund.

you can continue to talk trade with China while you are at it, so they can continue to support Putin. 
oh and you can continue to key each others Tesla’s too.

It’s true that you cannot produce semiconductors in anything like large volumes without China.

Same goes for EV batteries & solar panels, key ingredients for pharmaceuticals and chemicals for things like fertilizers.

Oh you changed it. Now it’s “in large volume”

that might take a minute but it’s do-able. We’re way more self sufficient than any other country in the world and that includes the EU. Don’t believe me look at energy for an example.

[goose]

The U.S. has limited domestic production of gallium and germanium and relies heavily on imports, with China supplying about 95% of its gallium and over 50% of its germanium. However, alternate supply options exist:

1. **Domestic Sources**: The U.S. has gallium and germanium deposits, but mining is minimal. Potential sites include Sheep Creek in Montana, Round Top in Texas, and zinc deposits in Washington, Alaska, and Tennessee for germanium. The Apex mine in Utah produced both metals in the 1980s but is closed. Restarting or expanding domestic mining is possible but faces environmental and economic hurdles.

2. **Allied Countries**: 
   - **Canada**: Teck Resources in British Columbia is North America’s largest germanium producer, extracting it from zinc refining. Canada also produces gallium at high purity through companies like 5NPlus.
   - **Australia**: Gallium and germanium can be recovered as byproducts from zinc and alumina refineries, though production is limited.
   - **Japan, South Korea, and Germany**: These countries produce gallium (Japan, South Korea, Russia) and germanium (Belgium, Finland, Russia), offering potential import sources.
   - **Belgium**: Umicore produces both metals, and Belgium has seen a 224% increase in Chinese germanium exports (2022–2024), some of which may be reexported to the U.S.

3. **Recycling**: Secondary sources, like recycling e-waste, could supply up to 10% of gallium and 30% of germanium globally, though U.S. infrastructure for this is underdeveloped.

4. **Stockpiles**: The U.S. Department of Defense holds a germanium stockpile but none for gallium, providing a temporary buffer.

5. **Substitutes**: Silicon can replace gallium in low-end applications (e.g., automotive chips) and germanium in some electronics, but performance suffers, especially in advanced tech like military systems or satellites.

Despite China’s 2023 export controls and 2024 ban on gallium and germanium to the U.S., trade data shows these metals still reach the U.S. via third countries like Belgium. However, if China tightens restrictions on these indirect routes, supply disruptions could cost the U.S. economy $3.4 billion in GDP, per USGS estimates. Diversifying supply chains through allied production, domestic mining, and recycling is critical, but scaling these alternatives will take time and investment.(https://www.stimson.org/2025/chinas-ger ... ed-states/)(https://www.usgs.gov/news/national-news ... orts-could)

(https://unu.edu/merit/article/china-has ... on-limited)



A whopping $3.4 billion. How will the US economy manage? Ffs!

The US, or the rest of the world simply cannot make semiconductors without China, and if you knew what you were c&p about you’d know that processing & refinement of those elements is the key. China controls about 85% of global capacity.

You said China cannot live without American chips, when the reality is that nobody can make them without China.

 

That’s simply not true. There is nothing that China makes that the US or the rest of the world cannot.
Nothing.


Latest news is the USA are about to walk away from the negotiations with Russia and Ukraine. Time to tighten your purse strings you boys have a war to fund.

you can continue to talk trade with China while you are at it, so they can continue to support Putin. 
oh and you can continue to key each others Tesla’s too.

It’s true that you cannot produce semiconductors in anything like large volumes without China.

Same goes for EV batteries & solar panels, key ingredients for pharmaceuticals and chemicals for things like fertilizers.

[Nutsin]

No 75% cannot.
completely ignoring the role China plays in packaging & assembly, and the lack of US capacity & capability, what do you suppose these chips are made from?

The REEs needed to make them come almost exclusively from China. About 70 to 80% of global supply of gallium and germanium is Chinese.

The U.S. has limited domestic production of gallium and germanium and relies heavily on imports, with China supplying about 95% of its gallium and over 50% of its germanium. However, alternate supply options exist:

1. **Domestic Sources**: The U.S. has gallium and germanium deposits, but mining is minimal. Potential sites include Sheep Creek in Montana, Round Top in Texas, and zinc deposits in Washington, Alaska, and Tennessee for germanium. The Apex mine in Utah produced both metals in the 1980s but is closed. Restarting or expanding domestic mining is possible but faces environmental and economic hurdles.

2. **Allied Countries**: 
   - **Canada**: Teck Resources in British Columbia is North America’s largest germanium producer, extracting it from zinc refining. Canada also produces gallium at high purity through companies like 5NPlus.
   - **Australia**: Gallium and germanium can be recovered as byproducts from zinc and alumina refineries, though production is limited.
   - **Japan, South Korea, and Germany**: These countries produce gallium (Japan, South Korea, Russia) and germanium (Belgium, Finland, Russia), offering potential import sources.
   - **Belgium**: Umicore produces both metals, and Belgium has seen a 224% increase in Chinese germanium exports (2022–2024), some of which may be reexported to the U.S.

3. **Recycling**: Secondary sources, like recycling e-waste, could supply up to 10% of gallium and 30% of germanium globally, though U.S. infrastructure for this is underdeveloped.

4. **Stockpiles**: The U.S. Department of Defense holds a germanium stockpile but none for gallium, providing a temporary buffer.

5. **Substitutes**: Silicon can replace gallium in low-end applications (e.g., automotive chips) and germanium in some electronics, but performance suffers, especially in advanced tech like military systems or satellites.

Despite China’s 2023 export controls and 2024 ban on gallium and germanium to the U.S., trade data shows these metals still reach the U.S. via third countries like Belgium. However, if China tightens restrictions on these indirect routes, supply disruptions could cost the U.S. economy $3.4 billion in GDP, per USGS estimates. Diversifying supply chains through allied production, domestic mining, and recycling is critical, but scaling these alternatives will take time and investment.(https://www.stimson.org/2025/chinas-ger ... ed-states/)(https://www.usgs.gov/news/national-news ... orts-could)

(https://unu.edu/merit/article/china-has ... on-limited)



A whopping $3.4 billion. How will the US economy manage? Ffs!

The US, or the rest of the world simply cannot make semiconductors without China, and if you knew what you were c&p about you’d know that processing & refinement of those elements is the key. China controls about 85% of global capacity.

You said China cannot live without American chips, when the reality is that nobody can make them without China.

 

 

That’s simply not true. There is nothing that China makes that the US or the rest of the world cannot.
Nothing.


Latest news is the USA are about to walk away from the negotiations with Russia and Ukraine. Time to tighten your purse strings you boys have a war to fund.

you can continue to talk trade with China while you are at it, so they can continue to support Putin. 
oh and you can continue to key each others Tesla’s too.

[Hammer I am]

No 75% cannot.
completely ignoring the role China plays in packaging & assembly, and the lack of US capacity & capability, what do you suppose these chips are made from?

The REEs needed to make them come almost exclusively from China. About 70 to 80% of global supply of gallium and germanium is Chinese.

The U.S. has limited domestic production of gallium and germanium and relies heavily on imports, with China supplying about 95% of its gallium and over 50% of its germanium. However, alternate supply options exist:

1. **Domestic Sources**: The U.S. has gallium and germanium deposits, but mining is minimal. Potential sites include Sheep Creek in Montana, Round Top in Texas, and zinc deposits in Washington, Alaska, and Tennessee for germanium. The Apex mine in Utah produced both metals in the 1980s but is closed. Restarting or expanding domestic mining is possible but faces environmental and economic hurdles.

2. **Allied Countries**: 
   - **Canada**: Teck Resources in British Columbia is North America’s largest germanium producer, extracting it from zinc refining. Canada also produces gallium at high purity through companies like 5NPlus.
   - **Australia**: Gallium and germanium can be recovered as byproducts from zinc and alumina refineries, though production is limited.
   - **Japan, South Korea, and Germany**: These countries produce gallium (Japan, South Korea, Russia) and germanium (Belgium, Finland, Russia), offering potential import sources.
   - **Belgium**: Umicore produces both metals, and Belgium has seen a 224% increase in Chinese germanium exports (2022–2024), some of which may be reexported to the U.S.

3. **Recycling**: Secondary sources, like recycling e-waste, could supply up to 10% of gallium and 30% of germanium globally, though U.S. infrastructure for this is underdeveloped.

4. **Stockpiles**: The U.S. Department of Defense holds a germanium stockpile but none for gallium, providing a temporary buffer.

5. **Substitutes**: Silicon can replace gallium in low-end applications (e.g., automotive chips) and germanium in some electronics, but performance suffers, especially in advanced tech like military systems or satellites.

Despite China’s 2023 export controls and 2024 ban on gallium and germanium to the U.S., trade data shows these metals still reach the U.S. via third countries like Belgium. However, if China tightens restrictions on these indirect routes, supply disruptions could cost the U.S. economy $3.4 billion in GDP, per USGS estimates. Diversifying supply chains through allied production, domestic mining, and recycling is critical, but scaling these alternatives will take time and investment.(https://www.stimson.org/2025/chinas-ger ... ed-states/)(https://www.usgs.gov/news/national-news ... orts-could)

(https://unu.edu/merit/article/china-has ... on-limited)



A whopping $3.4 billion. How will the US economy manage? Ffs!

The US, or the rest of the world simply cannot make semiconductors without China, and if you knew what you were c&p about you’d know that processing & refinement of those elements is the key. China controls about 85% of global capacity.

You said China cannot live without American chips, when the reality is that nobody can make them without China.

hence his sudden interest in Greenland

[goose]

Yeah I understand Taiwan and So Korea can give us what we need. China is the much bigger loser here.

Other 75% can be produced here in the USA, or Taiwan, So Korea or Japan can help bridge the gap. 3 staunch allies I’m sure would be happy for the extra GDP. 

What’s China gonna do? That is the question.

All those poor people with no savings and no social backdrop to support them on their hour of need. There are no Dole offices out there. They could always eat insects I suppose.

No 75% cannot.
completely ignoring the role China plays in packaging & assembly, and the lack of US capacity & capability, what do you suppose these chips are made from?

The REEs needed to make them come almost exclusively from China. About 70 to 80% of global supply of gallium and germanium is Chinese.

The U.S. has limited domestic production of gallium and germanium and relies heavily on imports, with China supplying about 95% of its gallium and over 50% of its germanium. However, alternate supply options exist:

1. **Domestic Sources**: The U.S. has gallium and germanium deposits, but mining is minimal. Potential sites include Sheep Creek in Montana, Round Top in Texas, and zinc deposits in Washington, Alaska, and Tennessee for germanium. The Apex mine in Utah produced both metals in the 1980s but is closed. Restarting or expanding domestic mining is possible but faces environmental and economic hurdles.

2. **Allied Countries**: 
   - **Canada**: Teck Resources in British Columbia is North America’s largest germanium producer, extracting it from zinc refining. Canada also produces gallium at high purity through companies like 5NPlus.
   - **Australia**: Gallium and germanium can be recovered as byproducts from zinc and alumina refineries, though production is limited.
   - **Japan, South Korea, and Germany**: These countries produce gallium (Japan, South Korea, Russia) and germanium (Belgium, Finland, Russia), offering potential import sources.
   - **Belgium**: Umicore produces both metals, and Belgium has seen a 224% increase in Chinese germanium exports (2022–2024), some of which may be reexported to the U.S.

3. **Recycling**: Secondary sources, like recycling e-waste, could supply up to 10% of gallium and 30% of germanium globally, though U.S. infrastructure for this is underdeveloped.

4. **Stockpiles**: The U.S. Department of Defense holds a germanium stockpile but none for gallium, providing a temporary buffer.

5. **Substitutes**: Silicon can replace gallium in low-end applications (e.g., automotive chips) and germanium in some electronics, but performance suffers, especially in advanced tech like military systems or satellites.

Despite China’s 2023 export controls and 2024 ban on gallium and germanium to the U.S., trade data shows these metals still reach the U.S. via third countries like Belgium. However, if China tightens restrictions on these indirect routes, supply disruptions could cost the U.S. economy $3.4 billion in GDP, per USGS estimates. Diversifying supply chains through allied production, domestic mining, and recycling is critical, but scaling these alternatives will take time and investment.(https://www.stimson.org/2025/chinas-ger ... ed-states/)(https://www.usgs.gov/news/national-news ... orts-could)

(https://unu.edu/merit/article/china-has ... on-limited)



A whopping $3.4 billion. How will the US economy manage? Ffs!

The US, or the rest of the world simply cannot make semiconductors without China, and if you knew what you were c&p about you’d know that processing & refinement of those elements is the key. China controls about 85% of global capacity.

You said China cannot live without American chips, when the reality is that nobody can make them without China.

[Nutsin]

 

Looks like you don’t understand the global supply chain of semiconductors.

btw to your earlier point of only replacing 25% of Chinese imports - what happens to the other 75%?

Yeah I understand Taiwan and So Korea can give us what we need. China is the much bigger loser here.

Other 75% can be produced here in the USA, or Taiwan, So Korea or Japan can help bridge the gap. 3 staunch allies I’m sure would be happy for the extra GDP. 

What’s China gonna do? That is the question.

All those poor people with no savings and no social backdrop to support them on their hour of need. There are no Dole offices out there. They could always eat insects I suppose.

No 75% cannot.
completely ignoring the role China plays in packaging & assembly, and the lack of US capacity & capability, what do you suppose these chips are made from?

The REEs needed to make them come almost exclusively from China. About 70 to 80% of global supply of gallium and germanium is Chinese.

The U.S. has limited domestic production of gallium and germanium and relies heavily on imports, with China supplying about 95% of its gallium and over 50% of its germanium. However, alternate supply options exist:

1. **Domestic Sources**: The U.S. has gallium and germanium deposits, but mining is minimal. Potential sites include Sheep Creek in Montana, Round Top in Texas, and zinc deposits in Washington, Alaska, and Tennessee for germanium. The Apex mine in Utah produced both metals in the 1980s but is closed. Restarting or expanding domestic mining is possible but faces environmental and economic hurdles.

2. **Allied Countries**: 
   - **Canada**: Teck Resources in British Columbia is North America’s largest germanium producer, extracting it from zinc refining. Canada also produces gallium at high purity through companies like 5NPlus.
   - **Australia**: Gallium and germanium can be recovered as byproducts from zinc and alumina refineries, though production is limited.
   - **Japan, South Korea, and Germany**: These countries produce gallium (Japan, South Korea, Russia) and germanium (Belgium, Finland, Russia), offering potential import sources.
   - **Belgium**: Umicore produces both metals, and Belgium has seen a 224% increase in Chinese germanium exports (2022–2024), some of which may be reexported to the U.S.

3. **Recycling**: Secondary sources, like recycling e-waste, could supply up to 10% of gallium and 30% of germanium globally, though U.S. infrastructure for this is underdeveloped.

4. **Stockpiles**: The U.S. Department of Defense holds a germanium stockpile but none for gallium, providing a temporary buffer.

5. **Substitutes**: Silicon can replace gallium in low-end applications (e.g., automotive chips) and germanium in some electronics, but performance suffers, especially in advanced tech like military systems or satellites.

Despite China’s 2023 export controls and 2024 ban on gallium and germanium to the U.S., trade data shows these metals still reach the U.S. via third countries like Belgium. However, if China tightens restrictions on these indirect routes, supply disruptions could cost the U.S. economy $3.4 billion in GDP, per USGS estimates. Diversifying supply chains through allied production, domestic mining, and recycling is critical, but scaling these alternatives will take time and investment.[](https://www.stimson.org/2025/chinas-ger ... ed-states/)[](https://www.usgs.gov/news/national-news ... orts-could)[]

(https://unu.edu/merit/article/china-has ... on-limited)



A whopping $3.4 billion. How will the US economy manage? Ffs!

[goose]

Looks like China isn’t a factor old boy! Taiwan and S Korea aren’t going anywhere. Wrong again?

U.S. microchips are primarily designed and manufactured by a mix of American companies and foreign manufacturers with strong U.S. ties. Key players include:

- **Design and IP**: 
  - **Nvidia**: Leading in GPUs for AI, gaming, and data centers.
  - **AMD**: Produces CPUs, GPUs, and server chips.
  - **Intel**: Designs CPUs, server chips, and some AI accelerators; also manufactures chips.
  - **Qualcomm**: Specializes in mobile and IoT chips.
  - **Apple**: Designs custom chips (e.g., M-series, A-series) for its devices.
  - **Broadcom**: Focuses on networking and connectivity chips.

- **Manufacturing (Foundries)**:
  - **Intel**: One of the few U.S. companies with domestic foundries, producing chips in Arizona, Oregon, and New Mexico.
  - **GlobalFoundries**: U.S.-based, with fabs in New York and Vermont, focusing on mature nodes (not cutting-edge).
  - **TSMC (Taiwan)**: Not U.S.-based but critical for U.S. chipmakers (e.g., Nvidia, AMD, Apple), with new U.S. fabs under construction in Arizona.
  - **Samsung (South Korea)**: Manufactures some chips for U.S. firms, with a growing U.S. presence (e.g., Texas fab).

- **Equipment and Tools**:
  - **Applied Materials**, **Lam Research**, **KLA**: U.S. firms supplying critical chipmaking equipment.
  - **Cadence**, **Synopsys**: Provide essential chip design software.

Most advanced U.S.-designed chips (e.g., Nvidia’s H100) rely on TSMC for manufacturing due to its cutting-edge processes (3nm, 5nm). The U.S. is investing heavily via the CHIPS Act to boost domestic production, but currently, only about 10% of global chip manufacturing happens in the U.S.

If you want specifics on a company or recent developments, I can search X or the web. Interested?

 

Looks like you don’t understand the global supply chain of semiconductors.

btw to your earlier point of only replacing 25% of Chinese imports - what happens to the other 75%?

Yeah I understand Taiwan and So Korea can give us what we need. China is the much bigger loser here.

Other 75% can be produced here in the USA, or Taiwan, So Korea or Japan can help bridge the gap. 3 staunch allies I’m sure would be happy for the extra GDP. 

What’s China gonna do? That is the question.

All those poor people with no savings and no social backdrop to support them on their hour of need. There are no Dole offices out there. They could always eat insects I suppose.

No 75% cannot.
completely ignoring the role China plays in packaging & assembly, and the lack of US capacity & capability, what do you suppose these chips are made from?

The REEs needed to make them come almost exclusively from China. About 70 to 80% of global supply of gallium and germanium is Chinese.

[Nutsin]

No, let’s see how America gets on without microchips. Your production and retail sales of thousands of products would grind to a halt overnight.

thats without considering the trade that goes the other direction for Intel, Qualcomm etc etc.

Looks like China isn’t a factor old boy! Taiwan and S Korea aren’t going anywhere. Wrong again?

U.S. microchips are primarily designed and manufactured by a mix of American companies and foreign manufacturers with strong U.S. ties. Key players include:

- **Design and IP**: 
  - **Nvidia**: Leading in GPUs for AI, gaming, and data centers.
  - **AMD**: Produces CPUs, GPUs, and server chips.
  - **Intel**: Designs CPUs, server chips, and some AI accelerators; also manufactures chips.
  - **Qualcomm**: Specializes in mobile and IoT chips.
  - **Apple**: Designs custom chips (e.g., M-series, A-series) for its devices.
  - **Broadcom**: Focuses on networking and connectivity chips.

- **Manufacturing (Foundries)**:
  - **Intel**: One of the few U.S. companies with domestic foundries, producing chips in Arizona, Oregon, and New Mexico.
  - **GlobalFoundries**: U.S.-based, with fabs in New York and Vermont, focusing on mature nodes (not cutting-edge).
  - **TSMC (Taiwan)**: Not U.S.-based but critical for U.S. chipmakers (e.g., Nvidia, AMD, Apple), with new U.S. fabs under construction in Arizona.
  - **Samsung (South Korea)**: Manufactures some chips for U.S. firms, with a growing U.S. presence (e.g., Texas fab).

- **Equipment and Tools**:
  - **Applied Materials**, **Lam Research**, **KLA**: U.S. firms supplying critical chipmaking equipment.
  - **Cadence**, **Synopsys**: Provide essential chip design software.

Most advanced U.S.-designed chips (e.g., Nvidia’s H100) rely on TSMC for manufacturing due to its cutting-edge processes (3nm, 5nm). The U.S. is investing heavily via the CHIPS Act to boost domestic production, but currently, only about 10% of global chip manufacturing happens in the U.S.

If you want specifics on a company or recent developments, I can search X or the web. Interested?

 

Looks like you don’t understand the global supply chain of semiconductors.

btw to your earlier point of only replacing 25% of Chinese imports - what happens to the other 75%?

Yeah I understand Taiwan and So Korea can give us what we need. China is the much bigger loser here.

Other 75% can be produced here in the USA, or Taiwan, So Korea or Japan can help bridge the gap. 3 staunch allies I’m sure would be happy for the extra GDP. 

What’s China gonna do? That is the question.

All those poor people with no savings and no social backdrop to support them on their hour of need. There are no Dole offices out there. They could always eat insects I suppose.