HardwareCritical metals for electronic components and gadgets jump in price, as China’s trade restrictions with the US begin to biteWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
HardwareCritical metals for electronic components and gadgets jump in price, as China’s trade restrictions with the US begin to biteWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Pla2na via Getty Images)
The Covid pandemic was a stark reminder as to just how fragile the global supply chain is, and now we have a new one to worry over. Two weeks after China applied an export restriction to the US on any metals critical to the semiconductor industry, prices for the likes of gallium have shot up in price—to the point where it’s now more expensive than it has ever been in the last 23 years.
Gallium, germanium, antimony, and other metals are critical to the semiconductor and electronic industry. They’re used to create the materials required for high-speed, high-current switching systems, and countless devices just wouldn’t exist without them—including solar panels, radar equipment, display screens, and optical equipment. The fact that such gadgets can potentially have military use wasChina’s justificationfor the export restriction.
And while none of them are rare, setting up new supply chains or extraction sites will take time and cost a lot of money. Hence why the metal trading markets have seen prices for all these valuable metals jump in value.
How long it will take before we see a significant price increase for electronic goods isn’t certain, but if one assumes that the trade restrictions between the US and China remain in place for the foreseeable future, any increases in costs will almost certainly be eventually passed down to the consumer.
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Best CPU for gaming: Top chips from Intel and AMD.Best gaming motherboard: The right boards.Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game first.
Best CPU for gaming: Top chips from Intel and AMD.Best gaming motherboard: The right boards.Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game first.
Best CPU for gaming: Top chips from Intel and AMD.Best gaming motherboard: The right boards.Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game first.
Best CPU for gaming: Top chips from Intel and AMD.Best gaming motherboard: The right boards.Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game first.
Best CPU for gaming: Top chips from Intel and AMD.Best gaming motherboard: The right boards.Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game first.
Best CPU for gaming: Top chips from Intel and AMD.Best gaming motherboard: The right boards.Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game first.
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