Tennessee Zinc Smelter Sparks U.S.-China Trade Battle
A zinc smelter in Tennessee has become a focal point in the U.S.-China trade dispute as it holds two crucial minerals, germanium and gallium, necessary for producing chips used in smartphones and radar systems. With China restricting the export of these minerals, the smelter's Dutch owner and local officials are seeking funding for an expansion to process these sought-after materials and prevent a shortage in the global market.