US-China's New War: A Scramble for Critical Mineral Treasures, West's Slick Strategy Against Beijing

Indonesia's Republika newspaper highlights the escalating resource-based geopolitical rivalry between the West and China. The article frames the US-EU cooperation on critical minerals not merely as an economic policy but as a strategic geopolitical maneuver. It emphasizes China's significant control over the global supply chain for essential minerals like rare earths, lithium, and cobalt, which are foundational to future technologies.

The report underscores Western concerns about China's "market distortions" and its use of "geo-economic leverage" through export and price controls. This collaboration between the US and EU is presented as a direct response to these concerns, aiming to create a more transparent and sustainable market. The article suggests this could pave the way for broader multilateral agreements in the future.

From an Indonesian perspective, this development signifies a critical juncture in global power dynamics. As a nation rich in natural resources and aspiring to move up the value chain, Indonesia would closely monitor how such Western-led initiatives impact global trade and investment flows. The article implicitly suggests that while the West seeks to diversify away from China, developing nations like Indonesia must navigate these complex geopolitical currents carefully to ensure their own economic interests are protected and that they are not sidelined in the race for technological and resource dominance.

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China uses its dominance as geo-economic leverage.