China Clamps Down Silver Exports - Industrial Implications

https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/musk-sounds-alarm-silver-china-restricts-exports-needed-critical-industrial-processes

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is raising the alarm over surging silver
prices as China prepares to impose new export restrictions on
the precious metal.

Musk responded to a post on his X social media platform that
noted China will begin requiring government licenses for
to export silver from the country starting on January 1.

"This is not good. Silver is needed in many industrial processes,"
the Tesla CEO said.

Silver prices have surged to record high prices this year after
it was designated a critical mineral by the U.S. government

. . .

   MOST people think of gold/silver/platinum as just
   "pretty coins" ... but the metals DO have significant
   industrial relevance as well.

   At the moment there's a huge price bubble around
   these metals. The USA produces a fair amount of
   silver and S.Africa a fair amount of gold - but
   it's not ENOUGH. A prime source of platinum is,
   was, Russia ... it's Vlad's favorite metal ...
   and the Ukraine thing has made supply iffy and
   expensive.

   At SOME point the bubble will pop, but likely not
   for at least a year.

   China has fair resources for these metals, and by
   even temporarily taking its output away it can put
   a big kink in global industry - plus make a LOT
   more from what it DOES sell. Who said China did
   not understand 'capitalism' eh ?

   Can the 'western' countries boost their output ?
   Generally yes - but it can't happen overnight.
   Mines/mining/facilities are all EXPENSIVE and
   kinda complicated. Expect a two or three year
   delay.

   "War" doesn't always involve bullets and bombs, it
   can be done using economic weapons as well.