Remember when we used to joke about not knowing what goes into our hot dogs? Well, it turns out we’re equally clueless about what goes into our electronics. Recent revelations about US companies being in the dark about their chip sources have got me thinking about the broader implications for our digital security.

The situation is both amusing and terrifying. Here we are, living in an age where we’re increasingly dependent on technology, yet half of US companies don’t even know where their chips come from. That’s like driving a car without knowing if the brakes were installed by a certified mechanic or your neighbour’s teenager.

The tech industry just got a lot more complicated. China has announced a ban on exports of rare earth metals to the United States, specifically gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials. This move comes as retaliation to the US chip ban, and it’s sending ripples through the global technology supply chain.

Reading through various online discussions about this development, I’m struck by how many people are rushing to “future-proof” their tech purchases. While panic buying might seem like a logical response, the reality is more nuanced. These materials aren’t just about our gaming PCs and smartphones - they’re crucial components in military equipment, semiconductor manufacturing, and various critical technologies.

The political winds are shifting across the Pacific, and their effects are already rippling through our economic waters. Walking through the Queen Victoria Market yesterday, I overheard several traders discussing the potential impact of Trump’s likely return to power, and I’ve been mulling over what this means for our economic future.

Treasury officials are now bracing for what could be a perfect storm of higher interest rates and weaker growth. The prospect of massive tariffs - particularly the proposed 60% on Chinese goods - isn’t just another headline from overseas; it’s a direct threat to our economic stability.