Now it's AI: Magnificent 7 companies can't build AI data centers without Chinese bismuth

Bullets:

China has tight export restrictions on bismuth, which is a critical ingredient in the soldering paste used in high-end electronics and computing.

Suppliers to the world's richest tech companies are down to just weeks of supply.

Their executives are urging governments in Washington and Beijing to reach agreement, soon, so that more China-sourced soldering materials are available in global markets.

Market prices for non-Chinese bismuth soldering paste have soared, increasing 460% since the beginning of the year.

Closing scene, Guilin, Guangxi

Resources and links:

CNBC, Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robots hit by China’s rare earth restrictions, says Musk

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/23/teslas-optimus-hit-by-chinas-rare-earth-restrictions-says-musk.html

Nikkei, China's critical mineral curbs shake AI data center suppliers

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Supply-Chain/China-s-critical-mineral-curbs-shake-AI-data-center-suppliers2

SCMP, How critical minerals became Beijing’s ultimate trump card in US-China trade war

https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3310921/how-critical-minerals-became-chinas-ultimate-trump-card-trade-war

Statista, Major countries in bismuth mine production in 2024

https://www.statista.com/statistics/264975/production-of-bismuth/

Magnificent Seven Stocks: Should You Invest?

https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/magnificent-7-stocks