Miscellaneous News

vincent said:

American military used to joke the PLA is the world's largest functional museum in the 90's

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quim said:

Indeed, the great power of the British Empire did not come from industry, but rather from the earlier fierce piracy and competition of the seas with the Dutch and Spanish and the colonization of much of the world. The industrial revolution was a consequence of the increase in the urban population and its demands and protectionism against foreign manufacturers.

The global industrial revolution actually destroyed the British Empire, because when industry really became a relevant economic force, in the second half of the 19th century in urbanized countries, Germany and the USA quickly surpassed Britain in industrial productivity. And the British in the 20th century were equated with France, Japan and even Italy until they succumbed and gave way to the rise of the American Empire after WW2 and today they are just cheerleaders from the USA like other Europeans, but still above the pathetic Poles and Ukrainians.

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MixedReality said:

There are some truly delusional countries in the world that think far too highly of themselves (Poland, South Korea, Lithuania, Australia). All 4 countries are fanatically pro-American.

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Strangelove said:

As well as piracy of Asian knowledge and technology... without which they couldn't have kickstarted their industrial revolution.


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U.S.-led supply chain talks put focus on minerals, semiconductors​

Dark Father said:

U.S.-led supply chain talks put focus on minerals, semiconductors​

IPEF heads toward partial deal later this month to reduce China dependence.

Negotiators for the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework are hammering out the details on how to build stronger and more stable supply chains for products like minerals and semiconductors in a bid to reduce reliance on China.

The U.S. said Tuesday that "strong progress" was made at this fourth IPEF gathering, held May 8-15 in Singapore. Participants in the latest round of talks continued sculpting texts covering the four pillars of the framework: supply chains, trade, "clean economy" and "fair economy."

They aim to reach a partial agreement at the upcoming ministerial meeting in the U.S. on May 27. The IPEF seeks to increase resilience to disruptions that can sever supply chains, such as pandemics, climate change and conflict. Members are hashing out a mechanism to share information on and request alternative sources for essential products such as masks, medical supplies and semiconductors.

Cooperation on early links in the supply chain, like minerals and raw materials, can bolster economic security. For example, though China manufactures roughly 70%-80% of electric vehicle batteries globally, the country supplies only about 20% of the minerals used in their production.

While the U.S. produces less than 1% of the world's nickel, Indonesia produces about half, and Australia 5%, the U.S. Geological Survey reports. Southeast Asia and Australia also supply other critical minerals like cobalt and lithium. This creates room for cooperation, such as sharing supplies.

A key question is whether the IPEF arrangement will be worthwhile for its members. Many Southeast Asian countries have close ties to China. "The focus will be on how emerging economies balance [the IPEF] with their China policies," said Toshiki Takahashi, chief economist at Japan's Institute for International Trade and Investment. The IPEF includes Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, India, Australia, Brunei, Fiji, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

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MixedReality said:

There are some truly delusional countries in the world that think far too highly of themselves (Poland, South Korea, Lithuania, Australia). All 4 countries are fanatically pro-American.

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Dark Father said:

U.S.-led supply chain talks put focus on minerals, semiconductors​

IPEF heads toward partial deal later this month to reduce China dependence.

Negotiators for the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework are hammering out the details on how to build stronger and more stable supply chains for products like minerals and semiconductors in a bid to reduce reliance on China.

The U.S. said Tuesday that "strong progress" was made at this fourth IPEF gathering, held May 8-15 in Singapore. Participants in the latest round of talks continued sculpting texts covering the four pillars of the framework: supply chains, trade, "clean economy" and "fair economy."

They aim to reach a partial agreement at the upcoming ministerial meeting in the U.S. on May 27. The IPEF seeks to increase resilience to disruptions that can sever supply chains, such as pandemics, climate change and conflict. Members are hashing out a mechanism to share information on and request alternative sources for essential products such as masks, medical supplies and semiconductors.

Cooperation on early links in the supply chain, like minerals and raw materials, can bolster economic security. For example, though China manufactures roughly 70%-80% of electric vehicle batteries globally, the country supplies only about 20% of the minerals used in their production.

While the U.S. produces less than 1% of the world's nickel, Indonesia produces about half, and Australia 5%, the U.S. Geological Survey reports. Southeast Asia and Australia also supply other critical minerals like cobalt and lithium. This creates room for cooperation, such as sharing supplies.

A key question is whether the IPEF arrangement will be worthwhile for its members. Many Southeast Asian countries have close ties to China. "The focus will be on how emerging economies balance [the IPEF] with their China policies," said Toshiki Takahashi, chief economist at Japan's Institute for International Trade and Investment. The IPEF includes Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, India, Australia, Brunei, Fiji, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

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Michaelsinodef said:

Huh, seems like the IPEF might not be all that toothless and useless, although still too early to tell.

I suppose we really have to watch for what happens to Thailand, and if we're gonna see a repeat of that in say Malaysia.

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