The Week That’s Done: outbound investment screening, industrial policy
August 13, 2023Call it industrial policy, state intervention, or marketcrafting: governments have realized that market forces alone won't address economic security and supply chain risks. Meanwhile, LNG volatility spikes, offshore wind investments slump, and the White House targets investment in Chinese tech. Plus: global food turmoil.
The Week That’s Done: Critical minerals midstream risks, Germany’s China strategy
July 14, 2023Global investments in critical minerals are booming, but the midstream processing segment is still dominated by China—which in turn is diversifying its upstream supplies and intensifying competition over mining assets worldwide. Meanwhile, Europe’s industrial natural gas use falls, China muscles into LNG re-exports, and Germany unveils its new China strategy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
When Promises Aren’t Enough: An LNG Roadmap
March 25, 2022Producing things is difficult and Washington has been out of the game for some time. But producing things is also possible. And Washington needs to get back into the game, yesterday. We can start with LNG -- and actually help Europe in the process.
