Nations Secure Economic Gains Amid US-China Mineral Race
· Business · Hindustan Times, The Economist
Resource-rich countries are leveraging the intensifying US-China rivalry to attract investment and boost their economies through critical-mineral exports. Both nations are aggressively courting countries capable of rapid mineral extraction to secure materials essential for AI and electrification technologies. The US government and private firms invested $15.4 billion in foreign mining projects in 2025, a significant increase from near-zero levels in 2024. To support this expansion, the World Bank announced on October 16 that it would quintuple its support fund to $20 billion. Despite this influx of capital, the success of these nations depends on their ability to maintain high-speed supply chains rather than relying solely on their mineral deposits.
Why it matters
The competition for critical minerals is reshaping global supply chains, providing significant economic opportunities for resource-rich countries while forcing the US to reduce its reliance on Chinese-controlled markets.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
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