Savvy Negotiatin' or Rare Earth Robbery? China and the West Grapple Over Treasure... I Mean, Trade!

Why is the Rum Gone?... I mean the Rare Earths?

Blast and barnacles! It appears our friends in China have decided to play a game of 'hide the treasure' with those precious rare earth minerals. Seems the automotive and robotics industries are squawking like seagulls over a dropped biscuit but mark my words the defense giants will soon be feeling the pinch too. Why is the rum gone? More importantly why are the rare earths gone?

Parley: Pirates of Trade Meet in London

Now top brass from the U.S. and China are gathering in London attempting to negotiate a truce. Word has it the White House might ease chip export controls if Beijing speeds up the flow of rare earths. A handshake after a good parley perhaps? Though I've learned in my day that 'parley' is often just a suggestion not a rule. Remember savvy?

He Said She Said: Accusations Fly Like Cannonballs

Both sides are pointing fingers faster than a monkey in a coconut tree accusing each other of breaking a trade deal struck in Geneva. Blimey it's like watching Barbossa and I argue over a bottle of rum – never a dull moment and rarely any truth to be found.

Green Channels and Olive Branches: A Pirate's Kind of Garden

China is waving a green channel flag at Western auto giants offering to expedite export licenses. They've even granted rare earth licenses to suppliers of General Motors Ford and Jeep. Is this a genuine gesture or just a cleverly laid trap? As I always say 'The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem.' And me attitude is always suspicious!

Defense on the High Seas: A Silent Alarm?

While the car industry is sounding alarms like a sinking ship the defense sector seems quieter but let's not be fooled. These minerals are vital for advanced radar laser guidance and all sorts of fancy pirate fighting gadgets. As that Gracelin Baskaran lass from CSIS says they're on the 'front line of impact'. And a pirate never wants to be on the front line of anything!

What a Pirate Needs: Supply Demand and a Good Swig of Rum

What's needed according to these experts is a coordinated effort between the U.S. Europe and Australia to boost rare earth production. Because if prices stay low many of these projects won't be worth a doubloon. We need incentives subsidies and perhaps a good old fashioned treasure hunt to unearth more of these precious materials. Now where did I bury that map?