a/symmetric: China is exporting its entire EV industrial chain
March 1, 2024Car exports are a function of a larger strategic goal: “whole industrial chain output," which can in turn be leveraged to win influence over technology standards, trade flows, business models, and global commerce writ large.
The Week That’s Done: Huawei’s comeback, Volkswagen’s gamble
July 28, 2023Huawei will reportedly mass produce in-house designed 5G chips by the end of this year, highlighting the tech giant’s—and the broader Chinese industrial ecosystem’s— resilience against US sanctions. Meanwhile, [...]
Deglobalization Round-Up: July 28
July 28, 2023Beijing wants its law firms to downplay China-related business risks. Volkswagen and Xpeng’s bombshell partnership, and the Nissan-Renault alliance gets a reboot to compete with China. Plus: China realigns its outbound foreign direct investments.
Deglobalization Round-Up: July 14
July 14, 2023Following a raid on Bain's Shanghai offices in March, Chinese authorities are now appearing to take a friendlier approach, paying the consulting firm a courtesy call this month. Meanwhile, Ron DeSantis says he would support revoking China's trade status, global investors cool on China's reopening play, and the tables have turned for foreign carmakers in China.
The Week That’s Done: EU economic security, US EVs head to China
June 27, 2023Europe tries a difficult economic security balancing act—while simultaneously deepening ties with China in strategic sectors. Meanwhile, CATL goes upstream into lithium, Middle Eastern state firms go downstream into EVs, and foreign carmakers head to China. Plus: can spin-offs brush off geopolitical risk?
Deglobalization Round-Up: June 17
June 17, 2023US capital stops flowing to China, Volkswagen builds an EV plant in Canada, and Italy investigates Chinese government access to TikTok. Plus Bunzl's de-risking and restrictions on AI platforms in China.
The Week That’s Done: China’s Full-Stack EV Strategy
May 21, 2023Chinese automakers are making moves to dominate downstream auto services — with implications for national and industrial security. Meanwhile, the G7 celebrates the success of its Russian oil price cap, a looming oil deficit, and a wave of consolidation in energy and mining markets. Plus: more firms are betting on national security as a guiding investment thesis.
All Hat No CATL: Are State Leaders Wising up to China’s Industrial Threat?
March 2, 2023Ford has announced that it will collaborate with a Chinese State-backed supplier in establishing a battery plant for electric vehicles in Michigan. This despite the fact that an EV battery plant dependent on Chinese technology runs contrary to ambitions to shore up dependence on Chinese players and increase sustainable American industrial capacity.
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: 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: 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
Markets Briefing: Week of May 16
May 22, 2022US stocks hit their longest losing streak since the Great Depression – while continuing lockdowns in China, energy dilemmas in Europe, and a continuing failure to invest in domestic production suggest that a reversal of fortune is not on the horizon
Markets Briefing: Week of May 2
May 7, 2022As inflation soars, the Fed tightens the screws – and markets balk; the real economy weathers the storm better than most; both government and private sector double down on EV supply chains.
Markets Briefing: Week of April 18
April 23, 2022With recession alarms blaring, supply-side solutions remain elusive; the world writes off streaming even as Netflix's revenue grows; Chinese companies target European listings; and the Dutch bet big on photonics while the US-South Korea battery alliance hits rocky waters.
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
Markets Briefing: Week of April 11
April 16, 2022China's CNOOC grows wary of the US, but not of a global footprint; GM and Glencore announce a flashy new supply partnership; and Beijing signals that there's more intervention in capital markets ahead.
