That Easter egg was absolutely delicious!....thankyou Mr Cat, much appreciated!
Now, enough of the pleasantries.......This tiger has a bone to pick with you, naughty Black Cat.....Grrrr......snarl!
You stated...."USA only imports about $150 million of in rare earths of which a lot is used in vacuums. Yep vacuum cleaners! It's all a big beat up."....Some gullible sucker even awarded you a 'Great analysis' rating for that misleading nonsense.....no offence meant, ya know I love ya, mate!
.....but what you wrote was utter nonsense!
I've read numerous reports which absolutely contradict your vacuum cleaner story.....e.g.in this weekend's Australian Financial Review....Please allow me to share a few quotes from the story published under the headline....
"Trade war allows Beijing to fire a warning shot at US military.".....
1."On US Air Force fighter jets, magnets made of rare earth tht are mined or processed in China are needed to start the engines and provide emergency power. "
2."On precision-guided ballitic missiles favoured by the US Army, magnets containing Chinese rare earth materials that rotate the tail fins that allows the missiles to home in on small or moving targets"
3. "On new electric and battery powered drones, rare earth magnets are irreplaceable in the compact electric motors"
4. With Beijing now requiring that its exporters of rare earths receive express permission from the government before sending the material to the
US, American defence companies may see prices shoot up soon, ecperts warn." There's also, in addition, the small issue of DT's 245% tariffs on Chinese imports.....and of course the tariff-fuelled inflation for the average battling punters in the supermarkets. The price of everything goes up....not just the miltary aircraft.....it's called inflation.
No mention of flying, attack vacuum cleaners, Mr Cat!
China will now require special export licences for 6 heavy rare earth metals. Oops.....looks like General Trump may have shot himself in the foot....again!
Facts, mate, they count.
However, I reckon these social media conversations still serve an important opportunity to exchange thoughts with people who hold diametrically opposed opinions......it's intellectually healthy for us to have our pre-existing opinions challenged. I certainly always value your mining experience, and input, even if we occasionally disagree!
Happy Easter, Mr Cat, Wide Awake Woke up Wes T Tiger jnr
(20min delay)