Core Insights - The Atlantic Council report highlights the "gallium shortage" faced by the U.S. following China's export controls on gallium and related materials, emphasizing the need for the U.S. to explore "waste-to-gallium" recovery methods [2][3][4] Global Gallium Supply Dependence - China is the largest holder of gallium reserves, with approximately 190,000 tons, accounting for about 68% of global reserves, while the U.S. holds only 4,500 tons [3] - China's production of gallium exceeds 90% of global output, significantly impacting the global tech industry due to recent export controls [4] Strategic Importance and Supply Challenges - Gallium is critical for advanced electronic systems, including military applications, yet the U.S. lacks domestic production and government stockpiles to mitigate the impact of China's export restrictions [4][5] - The U.S. consumes about 20 tons of gallium annually for defense, but its reliance on imports has created vulnerabilities in its supply chain [5][6] Waste-to-Gallium Recovery Solutions - The report suggests that the U.S. should focus on recovering gallium from existing industrial processes rather than seeking new mining opportunities [7] - Potential recovery methods include extracting gallium from aluminum refining, zinc smelting, and semiconductor waste, which could help diversify and stabilize the supply chain [8][10] Recommendations for Increasing Domestic Gallium Supply - The U.S. can enhance gallium supply through various strategies, such as improving recovery processes at aluminum and zinc plants, and collaborating with allies for gallium recycling [9][10] - Establishing more facilities for recycling semiconductor waste could provide high-purity gallium, essential for defense applications [10]