Qatar helium shutdown puts chip supply chain on a two-week clock

Qatar's helium shutdown threatens to halt chip production within two weeks, as helium is essential for etching nanoscale circuits. The disruption affects 35% of global semiconductor-grade helium supply, putting 12 major fabs on alert. This shortage is 50% more severe than the typical supply chain shock, and it directly impacts #8's manufacturing base by threatening the very chips that power modern phones.