• Lovely_sombrero [he/him]
    ·
    1 day ago

    I think it would be smarter if China just slowly increased export prices of all these metals, such an abrupt cut might force the West to actually invest in their own rare earth metal extraction. I know that one such processing factory is already expected to open in the US next year.

    • LaughingLion [any, any]
      ·
      1 day ago

      For some of these it's not about just throwing money at the problem. Some minerals just don't have rich reserves waiting to be tapped.

      What will happen is we will topple governments like Honduras to get access to their reserves if they decide not to play ball and allow us to take it from them.

      • Elysium [he/him, any]
        ·
        22 hours ago

        Sure would be a shame if China started making Cuba-USSR style pacts with South American countries. Not necessarily nuclear exchange (although... ) but agreements to send carriers and stuff to just kinda chill in the Caribbean or whichever ocean is convenient depending on country

        America is constantly claiming the right to meddle in the pacific, South East Asia generally, and even in Central Asia with Pakistan and such. Taste of their own medicine if someone meddles in the Caribbean Sea

        • LaughingLion [any, any]
          ·
          10 hours ago

          Sure. I think China is more focused on the Pacific and Africa. The Pacific especially they have their own disputes like the Philippines currently. Maybe that's a first test-point for a US-China "war" as they have a defensive pact with the US. Chinese boats have been ramming more and more. Everything but live rounds.