⚙️ GEOPOLITICS: WHO CONTROLS ALUMINUM PRODUCTION? ⚙️
Aluminum is the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust, and it is relatively inexpensive to produce. It is also lightweight, strong, and corrosion-resistant. These properties make it an ideal material for a variety of applications (aircrafts, automotive, electronics, packaging, construction, transportation, medical, household items, etc). According to the International Aluminium Institute, production estimates in 2022 were:
Rank | Country | Production (metric tons) | %
1 China 39.8 54% 54%
2 India 4.6 6% 60%
3 Rusia 3.3 4% 64%
4 USA 2.9 4% 68%
5 Canada 2.6 4% 72%
6 Brazil 2.4 3% 75%
7 Qatar 2.3 3% 78%
8 South Korea 2.2 3% 81%
9 Saudi Arabia 2.0 3% 84%
10 Australia 1.8 2% 86%
11 Norway 1.6 2% 89%
12 Indonesia 1.5 2% 91%
13 Kazakhstan 1.3 2% 92%
14 Guinea 1.2 2% 94%
15 Greece 1.0 1% 95%
16 Malaysia 0.9 1% 96%
17 Italy 0.8 1% 98%
18 Iran 0.7 1% 99%
19 Turkey 0.6 1% 99%
20 Algeria 0.5 1% 100%
Perhaps it may not be relevant, but if the geopolitical tensions are rising, any disruption in supply chains would impact a wide variety of goods. Only 6 countries control the ± 75% of production (China, India, Russia, USA, Canada and Brazil).
In fact, only 7 countries of the list have a strong affinity with USA. This means that ± 17% is controlled by a pro-USA block. The ± 83% may be controlled by a more or less neutral block. However, based on BRICS alliance, the ± 68% is controlled by a pro-China block.
The ± 15% could by controlled by an openly neutral block. The real problem will be for under development countries because all the demand are going to be absorbed by super-powers, and only at the basic level and not at the high production will they be able to benefit.
The best analysis is yours!
J. Joel Padilla
Copyright: Joel Padilla 2023
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