In this episode of the Essential Geopolitics podcast, Emily Donahue speaks with Rebecca Keller, director of analysis for Stratfor's geopolitical team at RANE, about rare earth elements and tricky supply chains.
These not-so-rare but still increasingly important members of the periodic table are causing supply chain quandaries for global powers including China and the United States.
Traditional uses for copper, such as in electricity transmission and construction materials, will still dominate, even as electric vehicle use bumps up demand for the metal. This reality puts its suppliers in a complicated position.
Lithium-ion battery production is increasing demand for the element, which could wind up in short supply. But as technology advances, cobalt's days in the sun are numbered.
