Musk sounds alarm on silver as China restricts exports needed for critical industrial processes

Group 1 - Tesla CEO Elon Musk has raised concerns about rising silver prices as China plans to impose new export restrictions starting January 1, requiring government licenses for silver exports [1] - Silver prices have surged over 142% in 2025, starting the year at just under $30 per ounce, reflecting increased demand and supply shortages [5][2] - Spot silver prices reached an all-time high of $83.62 per ounce before declining to $75.32, attributed to profit-taking by traders [6][9] Group 2 - The iShares Silver Trust, the largest exchange-traded fund linked to silver, has mirrored the gains of the metal, indicating strong investor interest [5] - Analysts suggest that despite recent price declines, the underlying fundamentals of silver supply constraints remain, with positive prospects anticipated into 2026 [9] - Precious metals, including silver, are contributing to the S&P 500's rise, with mining stocks playing a significant role in driving the index to new highs [13]