This is the third post on this topic today. It’s more of a sidebar, calling out the wider impact of China’s rare earths threat.
It’s not just phones and computing tech that will be affected. So will Alt-Wheels:
U.S. Risks ‘Devastating’ Blow From China’s Rare Earths Monopoly
For example, rare-earth permanent magnets are used in miniature motors or generators in many, now ubiquitous, technologies. In a car, they allow windscreen wipers, electric windows, and power steering to function. And China accounts for as much as 95% of world output, according to Industrial Minerals Co.
Boldfaced emphasis added by me.
“Miniature motors” also include those in Alt-Wheels.
If the U.S. wanted to retaliate at all, they could prohibit sales of Alt-Wheels in America from Chinese companies. There are only a few American companies — Uber, Lyft, Bolt, Scoot, Lime, Bird — that would be hurt by this. Most Alt-Wheels makers are Chinese: Ninebot/Segway, Xiaomi, King Song, Meepo, Ownboard, and many others.
Although I recommended buying an extra phone, I can’t say the same for Alt-Wheels. The overall market is still small in America (even so, lack of American sales would hurt the Chinese companies) and people will be more interested in getting a phone over anything else.
Previously here:
And We’re Back To Red Headlines
Panic. But Quietly.
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