Well, howdy there, Internet people, it's Bell again. So today, we're going to talk about how China

just helped Canada with Trump's tariffs. When we think of trade issues, we think of Trump,

and for good reason. He made it central to his campaign, but the international back and forth on trade is happening all the time.

This is especially true when it comes to things that could be linked to national security,

like high-tech components and energy.

With a new Trump administration on the horizon, even the normal back and forth, is taking dramatic turns as

country's posture. The United States expanded export restrictions designed to hinder China's

ability to make advanced semiconductors. The U.S. added 140 companies to the list of those facing restrictions.

Jake Sullivan, who is Biden's national security advisor, said, quote,

The United States has taken significant steps to protect our technology from being used by our adversaries

in ways that threaten our national security. Beijing was of course upset by

this news, so the Chinese government imposed restrictions of their own, saying, quote,

in principle, the export of gallium, germanium, antimony, and super hard materials to the United States shall not be permitted.

This is a pretty big deal. China is a major supplier of these materials to the U.S.

The materials are used in everything from solar panels to night vision equipment.

The U.S. has its own deposits of these minerals,

but for the most part doesn't mine them. But do you know who does? Canada. As soon as news of

China's move broke, the Mining Association of Canada immediately started pointing this out as a method of pushing back on Trump's

promised 25% tariffs.

Quote, China's recent decision to ban exports of gallium, germanium, antimony, and other

high-tech materials with potential military applications in retaliation for U.S. restrictions on

semiconductor-related exports underscores the precariousness of global supply chains.

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