轮到中国“卡脖子”：欧洲炮弹数量短缺，只因中国断供了特殊棉花

Group 1 - European countries have imposed a ban on Chinese Xinjiang cotton, which has led to unintended consequences for their own ammunition production [3][11][23] - The specific type of cotton affected is short-staple cotton, essential for producing nitrocellulose, a key component in modern explosives [5][7][13] - China dominates the global market for short-staple cotton and nitrocellulose, supplying nearly half of the world's short-staple cotton trade in 2022, which is crucial for European ammunition manufacturers [7][21] Group 2 - The European Union's ban on Xinjiang cotton has disrupted the supply chain for military-grade materials, leading to a significant shortage of ammunition in Europe [11][15][19] - Major European defense companies, such as Rheinmetall and Saab, have expressed concerns over their reliance on Chinese imports for short-staple cotton, prompting them to stockpile supplies [17][21] - Alternatives from countries like India and Brazil have been found to be of inferior quality, further complicating the situation for European manufacturers [19][21] Group 3 - The situation highlights the interconnectedness of global supply chains, where political decisions can have far-reaching impacts on industries [23][25] - The European defense sector's struggle to meet production targets, such as the goal of producing 200 million shells by 2025, is directly linked to the shortage of nitrocellulose [15][21] - The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of political motivations overshadowing economic realities, emphasizing the need for cooperation in global trade [25]