China

As energy storage becomes infrastructure, the race to secure battery supply chains is reshaping alliances and redefining national security.

Asia-Pacific nations are building alternative rare earth supply chains that prioritise resilience over efficiency. Australia's Lynas secures 10-year Malaysian processing rights. Japan brokers trilateral deals with Australia and Brazil. Vietnam fast-tracks critical minerals legislation.

Senior analyst Madison Cartwright breaks down how trade rules, alliances, and sanctions influence cross-border market interactions.

The deal eliminates 98 per cent of EU tariffs on Australian goods. Wine, dairy, wheat, barley and seafood all get duty-free access.

A new report reveals China has invested $120 billion USD into global mining since 2023. Australian headlines call it a threat. Beijing calls it risk management.

The bilateral surplus has collapsed from $45 billion to $19 billion in four years. Australia keeps buying Chinese manufactures while China quietly diversifies its iron ore sources.

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol addressed Australia's National Press Club on March 23, warning the world has lost 11 million barrels of oil per day since the Strait of Hormuz closure. The figure exceeds both 1970s oil crises combined.

Washington and Tokyo signed a rare earths deal that barely mentions the world's largest lithium producer. Beijing noticed.