Global Scans · Resource Scarcity · Weekly Summary

• [New] By 2050, equity markets in countries in Oceania, North America, Asia and southern Europe, are projected to underperform by between 41% and 54% in a high warming scenario, largely due to exposure to extreme weather events and resource scarcity. Pensions Age
• [New] China's rare earth restrictions alone could lead to double-digit wholesale inflation. FinancialContent
• [New] Non-Chinese critical minerals and rare earths companies like MP Materials could see increased demand as nations seek to diversify their supply chains away from China. FinancialContent
• [New] Looming water scarcity threat could limit the UK's ability to reach 2050 net zero targets. Water Magazine
• [New] Supply Risk: India imports nearly 90% of its rare earth compounds from China, risking disruption to EV, semiconductor & defence supply chains. PMF IAS
• [New] China has accused the US of double standards after it threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Chinese goods following last week's rare earth curbs by Beijing. Al Jazeera
• [New] Many more strategic moves by government and industry players will be required to fully free the U.S. from China's dominance over all aspects of rare earth minerals. Forbes
• [New] Some analyses warn of a COVID-like shock to the US economy if rare earth exports are severely restricted, potentially causing a 1% slowdown in GDP growth and double-digit wholesale inflation. The Chronicle-Journal
• [New] In response to China's maneuver to control exports of critical minerals, Trump threatened a 100% tariff and export controls on critical software on social media. Forvis Mazars
• [New] The re-escalation of trade tensions, particularly the new US tariffs and China's rare earth export controls, could disrupt supply chains, increase costs, and force companies to realign their procurement and manufacturing strategies, potentially fragmenting the global tech ecosystem. The Chronicle-Journal
• [New] Some chips with Chinese rare earth content now fall under extra scrutiny, fueling fears of AI hardware delays and a worsening electronics manufacturing slowdown. technovatix.info
• [New] Demand for critical minerals could increase by up to 700% by 2040 if the world is to meet its declared climate goals alone, something which does not take into account the other range of critical mineral uses. Global Policy Journal
• [New] Under both SSP2 - 4.5 and SSP3 - 7.0 scenarios, 51% of DZD-affected regions are projected to face unprecedented water scarcity by 2100, with 22% experiencing emergence as early as 2020-2030. Nature
• [New] 51% of DZD-affected regions will face unprecedented water scarcity by 2100, with 22% experiencing emergence as early as 2020-2030. Nature
• [New] National Security: Domestic access to silver, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements is essential for advanced defence applications and industrial resilience amid global supply disruptions. Farmonaut
• The global transition to a low-carbon economy is driving an extraordinary demand for critical minerals, expected to increase almost fourfold for some minerals by 2030 and over 1500% by 2050. Commonwealth
• Semiconductor giants like Qualcomm, NVIDIA, Advanced Micro Devices, Micron Technology, Intel, and Broadcom are at significant risk due to their reliance on Chinese tech products and rare earth elements. The Chronicle-Journal
• Escalating U.S.-China trade tensions remain a dominant factor, with President Trump's threats of new tariffs and China's retaliatory measures, including strict licensing requirements for rare earth mineral exports. The Chronicle-Journal
• Global supply chains for solar PV and rare earth elements used in wind turbines remain heavily concentrated in China, underscoring ongoing risks to supply chain security. IEA
• Sentiment improved after signs the White House is moving toward dialog with Beijing, despite lingering strains over rare earth export controls, with further talks expected around this week's IMF and World Bank meetings in Washington. CNBC
• US defence contractors, aerospace companies like Boeing, and semiconductor manufacturers such as Nvidia and Intel are particularly vulnerable to disruptions in the supply of rare earth components, which are crucial for everything from F-35 avionics to advanced chip production. FinancialContent

Last updated: 25 October 2025