The Week That’s Done: China’s industrial strategy
March 19, 2023We give you a blueprint of China's industrial strategy and will a Guinean iron ore mine help China slash dependence on Australian imports? Meanwhile, the EU unveils a critical minerals plan just as China tightens its grips on cobalt and lithium, Black Sea Grain deal uncertainty, and trade controls served two ways.
Deglobalization Round-up: March 18
March 18, 2023Vanguard ditches China, and so do software developers. Plus: A potential TikTok ban, the EU moves to restrict investments in overseas production facilities, and a new paper points to the benefits of reshoring API Production.
The Week That’s Done: Japan’s Green Hydrogen Bet
March 12, 2023Japan has recognized the strategic value of friendshoring since well before it became a buzz phrase—and a burgeoning Japan-Australia hydrogen partnership could offer lessons to other countries. Meanwhile, the US shale boom looks to be flagging, a new report raises aluminum alarms, and Europe’s China stance is hardening. Plus: Are we back to supply chain normality yet?
Deglobalization Round-Up: March 11
March 11, 2023Canada moves to review mineral investments, Germany to review telecommunications networks, and the US to review technologies emanating from adversary countries. Plus US companies are rethinking Chinese supply chains, reshoring solar energy production promises to accelerate decarbonization, and Silicon Valley Bank's China tie.
The Week That’s Done: The Smartphone Space Race
March 5, 2023The satellite space race is heating up—and China sees it as the next battlefield in the mobile communications contest. Plus: markets overreact to Tesla’s ex-rare earths announcement, Beijing's lithium crackdown, and Britain’s salad crisis. And banger factory activity in China contrasts with contraction in the US.
Deglobalization Round-Up: March 4
March 4, 2023General Electric invests in the US as Apple's China suppliers seek international bases, the US solar industry tries to wean itself off China, and HSBC admits that its support for Beijing has threatened human rights. Plus, Putin and Biden shore up their respective, conflicting alliances against a backdrop of global trade, Beijing's data control, and new additions to the entity list.
The Week That’s Done: The Rare Earth Conundrum
February 26, 2023Australian rare earth miner Lynas hits roadblocks in Malaysia, just as the red carpet is rolled out for its Chinese competitors. Meanwhile, battery giant CATL wants to lock in business with cut-rate prices—but only to select EV makers. Plus, natural gas prices tumble and a manufacturing slowdown in Japan.
Deglobalization Round-Up: February 25
February 25, 2023The Kyocera president says that China is "no longer viable" as the world's factory, as developments in rare earths and semiconductors underscore the point. Plus, China looks further to shore up dependencies on chips, foreign auditors and the US sets up a "Disruptive Technology Strike Force."
The Week That’s Done: February 19
February 19, 2023Ford and CATL are teaming up to build a EV battery factory in the US, and it's a new lightning rod for the US-China competition. Europe's gas dilemma remains while the US reasserts itself as the global oil price maker. Plus, another week of a mixed bag of economic data, and US fund manager VanEck might be getting cold feet on China.
Deglobalization Round-Up: February 17
February 17, 2023China bets sink Tiger Global and the Singapore sovereign wealth fund balks at Beijing. Plus semiconductor companies moving out of China, Europe's push for solar, and the "critical-minerals club."
The Week That’s Done: February 12
February 12, 2023Fueled by Chinese demand, Brazil is on pace to tie the US as the world's largest corn exporter. Plus: A natural gas trading hub in Turkey could help Russia circumvent sanctions, China's opening threatens new inflationary pressures, and Pakistan wants a bail-out.
Deglobalization Round-Up: February 10
February 10, 2023Redwood Materials receives a 2 billion USD loan to produce battery materials in the US and the EU doubles down on cutting dependence on foreign energy sources. Plus spy balloon fall-out, aluminum detentions, and outbound investment screening.
The Week That’s Done: February 5
February 5, 2023The EU goes head to head with the US on industrial policy, right when cooperation is most necessary. Plus, BP says that fossil fuels are out but US oil production surges and the world can't kick coal, China's pending export restrictions on solar and rare earth technology, and General Motors pushes ahead with investments in vertical integration. Plus: spy balloon.
Deglobalization Round Up: February 2
February 2, 2023Nucor sees reshoring pushing up demand for it steel and US forgers call for continuing tariffs on China. Plus, Sony moves out of China, Europe's wake-up, the US courts India, and concerns over TuSimple.
The Week That’s Done: January 29
January 29, 2023Copper shortfall and a graphite black swan from China raises questions about future battery supply. Plus, Italy takes steps toward becoming a European energy hub, China's natural gas crunch explained, a multilateral move in chip restrictions on China, and the Maersk-MSC breakup could shake up global shipping.
Deglobalization Round-Up: January 27
January 27, 2023Slumping demand for Chinese goods hits international shipping, Apple moves away from China, and Senate legislation would ban Strategic Petroleum Reserve sales to China. Phoenix Tailings's co-founder, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, and India's industry minister say they're ready for reshoring.
The Week That’s Done: January 22
January 22, 2023Is US manufacturing in a recession? China’s re-opening puts new strain on commodity markets, Europe rushes to Russian diesel as the oil product import ban nears, and Bolivia picks China’s CATL to develop its lithium salt flats, while the UK’s Britishvolt battery startup collapses. Plus: Bad news for food production and a China-Indonesia wrinkle.
Deglobalization Round-Up: January 19
January 19, 2023Davos might be the symbol of globalization, but even there, the trend toward deglobalization is clear - and MacroFab, GlobalFoundries, and active managers are benefiting (though investors in ByteDance aren't).
The Week That’s Done: January 15
January 15, 2023Wheat futures drop in their steepest weekly plunge since August, but risks remain – while the EU eyes more sanctions on Russian fuel, China eyes Australia’s lithium, and South Korea’s Q Cells eyes a new project in Georgia. Plus: A surprise rare earths find, US-EU tension, and a whole lot more.
Deglobalization Round-Up: January 13
January 13, 2023Will deglobalization be the defining trend of 2023? Moves by Apple, restrictions on Tesla, retaliation from China, and incentives in South Korea all suggest the answer is a strong yes.
The Week That’s Done: January 8
January 8, 2023With China moving on from COVID zero, the energy market looks to tighten – even more. Plus, US LNG exports ramp up, offshore wind energy hits headwinds, and manufacturing contracts, globally.
Deglobalization Round-Up: January 7
January 7, 2023Dell, Panasonic, Denso all rethink dependence on China, while The New York Times covers a turn to Mexico, China threatens retaliation for COVID-19 travel restrictions, and Moscow and Beijing join forces on propaganda.
The Week That’s Done: January 1
January 1, 2023Happy new year – it’s still the same chaotic world: With COVID-19 ravaging China, testing controversy brews and Paxlovid becomes a luxury good. Plus the US job market holds on tight, Russia retaliates over the oil price cap, Japan snaps up global LNG supply, and plastics prices plummet.
Deglobalization Round-Up: December 30
December 30, 2022Is the automotive industry the canary in the coal mine: Major auto makers turn away from China, Tesla shuts down production in Shanghai, BMW and Volkswagen grapple with soaring COVID-19 cases in China. Plus: Customs and Border Production detains goods made with North Korean labor and tensions between Serbia and Kosovo escalate.
The Week That’s Done: December 25
December 25, 2022Geopolitics goes back to basics: Zimbabwe bans lithium exports, the EU imposes a(n easily evaded) gas price cap, China and India snap up cheap Russian fuels, and the US moves forward on a strategic uranium reserve. Plus Myanmar and Russia coordinate on nuclear energy, the Bank of Japan shocks investors, and the US turns to Africa.
Deglobalization Round-Up: December 23
December 23, 2022Stellantis and Apple scale back from China, the Australian sovereign wealth fund projects continuing deglobalization, and Robert Lighthizer calls for strategic decoupling. Plus China increases oversight over cross-border data transfers.
The Week That’s Done: December 18
December 18, 2022New strains hit Europe’s energy systems while the US fights to invest in next generation solutions, and struggles at the upstream. Plus, a breakthrough in nuclear fusion, hope that inflation might be easing (kind of), Japan’s new defense strategy, and more.
Deglobalization Round-Up: December 16
December 16, 2022Redwood Materials announces a 3.5 billion USD recycling and manufacturing campus in South Carolina, while both McKinsey and Bank of America suggest that deglobalization is here to stay. Plus: China takes the US to court.
The Week That’s Done: December 11
December 11, 2022China pivots on Zero COVID as the G7 price cap on Russian oil exports goes into effect. And that’s just one example of a new move to values-aligned trade blocs. Plus: The upward trajectory of lithium battery and tin prices, Russian coal exports, and Germany’s efforts to diversify away from China.
Deglobalization Round-Up: December 9
December 9, 2022The EU sues China at the WTO as Beijing's effort to weaponize globalization come into sharp relief. Meanwhile, are semiconductors the canary in the coal mine for deglobalization?
The Week That’s Done: December 4
December 4, 2022Dampening inflation spurs enthusiasm, but where is the attention to contraction in the US manufacturing index? Plus: A roller coaster week for the growing US-EU trade spat, relaxation in China's COVID Zero restrictions, and a nascent EV industry shift to sodium-ion batteries.
Deglobalization Round-Up: December 2
December 2, 2022Australia prepares to tighten regulations on foreign investment in it critical minerals industry and Canada warns of dependence on unreliable trade partners. Plus former Cisco CEO predicts deglobalization in the tech sector - while Apple's China dilemma and MacroFab's profits prove his point.
The Week That’s Done: November 27
November 27, 2022There’s new progress in the ex-China rare earths supply chain, but is it enough? Plus: Energy turmoil as Europe’s bans on Russian oil and diesel loom; strikes threaten US, South Korean, and UK logistics; China’s back in lockdown; Taiwan has an election surprise; and the OECD summarizes things neatly with a gloomy outlook.
Deglobalization Round-Up: November 25
November 25, 2022Bill Ackman calls deglobalization a long-term structural tend, The Financial Times investigates it as a necessity for future prosperity, and growing contradiction between the US and Chinese business environments underscore its inevitability. Plus: Violence at Apple's main Chinese iPhone-making plant, continued supply chain disruption, and an opportunity for Mexico.
The Week That’s Done: November 20
November 20, 2022In the Indonesian new energy industry, the west risks financing China’s profit, and control. Plus, in factors: Enel builds a US solar panel plant; lithium stays hot; and the price cap on Russian oil nears. In markets: LNG prices resist demand, Japan’s economy shrinks, the UK does austerity – while stray missiles threaten to disrupt it all.
Deglobalization Round-Up: November 18
November 18, 2022A Congressional commission calls for revoking China's normal trade status, investors balk on China, friendshoring goes mainstream, and Ford champions a return to in-house production – while MAC Automation Concepts and Code Corporation in the US; Brandauer and In-Comm Training in the UK take action.
The Week That’s Done: November 13
November 13, 2022The EU’s ban on Russian petroleum products is a mere weeks away, winter looms, and the energy crisis is a global affair – with developing economies on the frontlines. Plus, deflation in China, competition in major metal exchanges, and the neon market heats up while palm oil cools.
Deglobalization Round-Up: November 11
November 11, 2022A week in deglobalization: A milestone for US-based foundry Skywater, the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai sees US companies turning away from China, Apple's reality shows why, and Kellog and Aalberts report continuing supply chain challenges.
The Week That’s Done: November 6
November 6, 2022Beijing completes its space station and we benchmark the US-China space race – while the Fed keeps hiking, Maersk adds to recession fears, the Black Sea grain deal falters, and Canada orders Chinese lithium companies to divest. Plus: an OPEC for battery minerals?
Deglobalization Round-Up: November 4
November 4, 2022A week in deglobalization: Apple adds new production in India, Canada orders Chinese companies to divest, Bright Machines raises $132 million, Maersk warns of continued price pressures on supply chains, and Deloitte sees reshoring picking up steam.
The Week That’s Done: October 30
October 30, 2022US critical mineral capacity remains critically inadequate, China buys up Indonesia’s cobalt, and what are the prospects for made in USA uranium? Plus, US GDP grows, but pain under the surface, tech players crumble, and manufacturing stalls.
Deglobalization Round-Up: October 28
October 28, 2022A week in deglobalization: Japanese companies seek ex-China production, Motion Control Robotics breaks ground in Ohio, Mexican industrial real estate prepares to boom, GE faces supply chain snarls, and Bloomberg opinion calls for friendshoring.
The Week That’s Done: October 23
October 23, 2022Washington announces another SPR release – amid dropping US crude production, tightening Russia-China-Saudi Arabia oil nexus, and a new oil supply shock on the horizon. Plus, false flag in copper prices, Chinese infrastructure, a skittish yen, and food concerns.
The Week That’s Done: October 16
October 16, 2022The international market is increasingly bifurcated and in the West, the dominant theme is shortage: Aluminum crunch, refining crunch, wheat crunch, freight crunch, LNG crunch narrowly avoided – for now. Plus, in markets, inflation persists; debt risks brew among emerging economies; and Germany's trade surplus shrinks.
The Week That’s Done: October 9
October 9, 2022OPEC explicitly snubs Washington and the West, showing that productive beats consumptive power. Also not brilliant: US monetary tightening is cooling the economy, but in all the wrong places – and that ups recession risks. Plus: Maize malaise in Europe, the Mississippi’s dry spell, a US industrial policy stumble in lithium, and plunging global FX reserves.
The Week That’s Done: October 2
October 2, 2022Poll results show that the US public backs revoking China’s PNTR status and markets should take heed. Plus: Nord Stream sabotage, the LME considers banning Russian metals, Chinese battery and EV firms are snapping up global lithium supply, and the US needs to step up gas production.
The Week That’s Done: September 25
September 25, 2022Beijing plays both sides of today’s energy war, while expanding its influence over tomorrow’s markets. Meanwhile, European industry falters and the UK falters, generally; the Fed ups the ante but Beijing and Tokyo continue to sit this round out; and is copper the bargain of the moment?
The Week That’s Done: September 18
September 18, 2022Inflation is up and FedEx is down: US economic indicators have alarm bells ringing – while Latin America faces triple digit inflation and energy crisis pushes Europe to full-on intervention. Plus: Tesla walks the US-China tightrope; coal prices soar while oil production drops, and a decision point nears for metals markets.
The Week That’s Done: September 11
September 11, 2022A deep dive into Europe’s energy crisis shows faltering industry and political fault-lines, no end in sight for Moscow’s economic warfare, and Beijing as the real winner – plus Europe intent on doubling down on its own mistakes. In markets, a weak currency could strengthen China’s hand, elsewhere it’s hikes hikes hikes, and will India join a major global bond index?
The Week That’s Done: September 4
September 4, 2022Water crisis in Jackson hammers home the national infrastructure plight. Plus: The yen continues to slide and global bonds enter bear market territory; Pakistan and Sri Lanka secure IMF loans while Russia wreaks energy market havoc (price cap be damned); new battery plants and chip export restrictions in the US suggest industrial policy at work – but is it working?
The Week That’s Done: August 28
August 28, 2022Moscow toys with global energy markets and LNG prices surge – with second-order consequences for Beijing’s international influence, global food supply, US inflation. Plus: Drought compounds agricultural crisis, the SPR sits at its lowest level since 1985, Japan eyes nuclear, and China launches a new wave of stimulus. And, of course, Powell says tighten your seatbelts.
The Week That’s Done: August 21
August 21, 2022Record temperature shut down China and squeeze Europe - not the heat the global economy needs. Plus the Chinese central bank cuts rates while UK inflation hits 10.1%, copper miners stay optimistic and the IRA gives them reason, and nuclear fears in Ukraine. Happy weekend!
The Week That’s Done: August 14
August 14, 2022The CHIPS Act is a carrot and Manchin's EV sourcing requirements a stick: US industrial competition could be ready for a comeback - if the private sector is on board. Plus: The energy scramble continues while Turkey plays metals middleman; US inflation relaxes, but so does productivity; and China flexes its delisting muscles
The Week That’s Done: August 7
August 7, 2022Across wheat, gas, steel, the shortage crisis has calmed - but (largely) because of dropping demand, not rising supply. With manufacturing slumping, future food production threatened, buffer eroded, what happens next? Plus: Storm clouds gather in the UK and China throws a temper tantrum.
The Week That’s Done: July 31
July 31, 2022Rare movement in DC offers a glimmer of hope for industrial investment – or at least a signal to the private sector. The bad news: This challenge is above government's pay grade; recession (word choice be damned) looms, and not just in the US; everywhere from energy to grain to space, Russia is adeptly playing spoiler. Plus: scandium, tritium, fixed-price forward contracts, and more.
The Week That’s Done: July 24
July 24, 2022The EU's twin energy and economic crises threaten the bloc's cohesion, also political losses on those struggling to hold it together. Plus: Inflationary pressures mean no tariffs on Russian fertilizer, dumping be damned; the EV revolution strengthens China's auto hand; monkeypox is a global health emergency; and more fun fun fun.
The Week That’s Done: July 17
July 17, 2022Inflation hits a whopping 9.1, but if anything the supply picture is getting worse: Peloton gives up on production, Intel stalls in Ohio, the Texas grid sputters, and Biden strikes out with MBS. Plus: Europe might be headed for shut off, China is gobbling up lithium, and there’s political chaos on the horizon.
The Week That’s Done: July 10
July 10, 2022From disruption in personality politics to cascading social (and economic) disruption, this week has it all. Plus, natural gas soars even if oil shows relief; China doubles down on lithium; dollar-euro parity nears; and the US continues to waffle on tariffs.
The Week That’s Done: July 3
July 3, 2022The good news: It's a long weekend. The bad: California can't figure out supply and demand, US manufacturing is slowing, and the G7's price cap scheme doesn't mean much. Plus: Things look even worse in Europe, copper's drop might just be a blip, will the chemical industry move to China?
The Week That’s Done: June 26
June 26, 2022With the energy crisis here to stay, the White House is throwing Econ 100 to the winds; Europe on a quest for new supply; and China sitting pretty atop cheap Russian imports that promise new energy influence, and leverage over the West. Meanwhile we round out the week with economic collapse in Sri Lanka, a COVID pill in China, and a looming critical mineral shortage.
The Week That’s Done: June 19
June 20, 2022Washington brings supply-side tools to a demand-side fight; the EU fares no better. Meanwhile Moscow turns off gas to Europe while Beijing continues to snipe chip tech. Plus: All eyes on Xinjiang, the Yen, and the WTO's pyrrhic victory.
The Week That’s Done: June 12
June 12, 2022Gas prices hit all-time highs as inflation gallops ahead; Washington relaxes solar tariffs while playing softball with Russia's plunder; plus China stocks make (minor) gains, BYD makes bigger gains, and TSX launches a battery metals index
The Week That’s Done: June 5
June 5, 2022The EU promises that it will block most Russian oil imports maybe – all while production continues to stall and Australia offers worrying indicators of shortage ahead; plus we have European inflation, car companies as space companies, and a pyrrhic victory for the US.
Factors and Markets Briefing: Week of May 23
May 29, 2022With record gas prices, squeezed agricultural producers, and stubborn labor crisis, the era of shortage is here to stay -- and likely worsen. Cue shifting consumer habits, Sri Lanka's default, and a move toward industrial integration (anti-trust be damned). Happy Memorial Day!
Factors Briefing: Week of May 16
May 21, 2022In a new era of shortage, adjustments are being made: Food nationalism rears its head in India, while in critical minerals automakers look to platinum over palladium; meanwhile, the US fails to incentivize greater oil and gas production while China scoops up Russia's at bargain basement prices
Factors Briefing: Week of May 9
May 14, 2022It's shortage everywhere: In agriculture, wheat is the latest victim, threatening tomorrow's food supply while a baby formula shortage wreaks havoc today; meanwhile, China eyes the aluminum vacuum and a South Korea x Canada collab tries to shore up tungsten dependencies.
Factors Briefing: Week of May 2
May 8, 2022India and China double down on coal as the global energy squeeze intensifies – and while Russian alumina supply dwindles; European automakers seek European rare earths supply, and kind of succeed; Malaysia makes moves to fill the cooking oil vacuum
Factors Briefing: Week of April 25
May 2, 2022With the Ukraine war disrupting global cooking oil supply, Indonesia decides to up the stakes; new challenges to Russia's lithium supply provide a cautionary tale for the West (or should); and Chinese conglomerates prepare to gobble up Shell's stake in a Russian LNG project
Factors Briefing: Week of April 18
April 24, 2022Indonesia works to climb the nickel value chain while Mexico nationalizes its lithium reserves; fertilizer shortage injects new, cross-cutting threats into the global food market; and nuclear energy comes back into favor -- but how to source the uranium?
Factors Briefing: Week of April 11
April 17, 2022Amid soaring inflation, the specter of global food shortage; the titanium crunch throws aerospace companies for a loop; Elon Musk weighs tossing his hat into the mining ring
Factors Briefing: Week of April 4
April 9, 2022The global helium shortage puts chaos on the forecast -- and so does the EU's ban on Russian coal; China regains control of a major cobalt mine in the DRC
Factors Briefing: Week of March 28
April 1, 2022The Biden Administration's SPR release fails to address supply gaps -- but invocation of the Defense Production Act for critical minerals maybe does; Canada's abundant resource supply pushes it to the big stage in a new geopolitical environment
