[SmokingJoe]

That's exactly how it works.

Nope.

You can't make smartphones with magic pixie dust. You still need rare Earth materials, and they ain't coming from the U.S.

Some come from the US, Australia and other countries. look it up. And Musk's Tesla manages to make and get all the EV batteries they want , more than any other company.

China has Africa on lock so it's going to come from them.

China has which African countries “on lock”?
Please elaborate.

All Apple/Google has to do is tell China don't partner with Musk.

You actually think Apple or Google can order Xi about?
When has anybody ever ordered XI to do what they want?

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Some come from the US ROFL. There is a complete and utter ban on rare Earth mining in the US. Even conventional mines takes up to a decade for approval. Trust me, even Xi will cave when Apple or Google will demand that his country not partner with Musk. The logistics aren't there for Musk to begin his own smartphone line.