TLDW

Resource-based economies control the essential raw materials needed for manufacturing and high-tech industries. This gives them leverage over nations that rely on these resources. China’s dominance in gallium production is a great example as it’s essential for making advanced semiconductors.

Real power resides at the top of supply chains, where raw materials originate. Controlling these resources allows countries to dictate terms and disrupt industries further down the chain.

Sanctions enacted by higher-level supply chain economies often fail because resource-based economies can retaliate by restricting access to essential raw materials. This renders sanctions ineffective and can even harm the sanctioning nation’s economy.

BRICS economies, who control many of the essential resources, will continue to develop domestic industries to process and utilize their own resources. Doing so reduces reliance on imports and creates new economic opportunities.

Access to critical raw materials provides a significant advantage in developing and manufacturing key technologies like semiconductors, telecom equipment, and renewable energy systems. This ultimately leads to technological leadership and economic dominance in those sectors as we’re seeing happening with China.

Economies higher up the supply chain become vulnerable to disruptions and price fluctuations caused by resource-based economies. This dependence weakens their negotiating power and hinder their economic growth in the long run.

  • davel [he/him]@lemmygrad.mlEnglish
    8·
    17 hours ago

    😂

    Did they assume that nobody in China can do whay I just did: to do a Google search for “gallium supply chain” and not find these unclassified reports on page one of the results?

    This video has 79K views, and he’s cranking out several per week. Presumably he’s got a business to run, too.

    • cayde6ml@lemmygrad.ml
      9·
      16 hours ago

      Despite being a businessman and kind of religiously nutty in some aspects, I kind of like Kevin Walmsley. I don’t fully trust him (I don’t fully trust anyone, but that is besides the point) but he seems to be somewhat of an “ethical” businessman, or close to it. He obviously wants to make money, yet from being a follower of his for a very long time, I feel there is a sense of genuineness, that he really does want to help people and raise others up, and he seems to be willing to put profit as secondarily important rather than an absolute first priority.

      I kind of wish that more capitalists were like him. Mostly sane, able to see the bigger picture, and promote peace, cooperation and scientific and technological advancement and cultural exchange. And willing to call out the stupidity and evil of the imperialists.