https://www.scmp.com/rss/522847/feed The latest news and top stories on Jon Hykawy. A co-founder of Stormcrow Capital, he is a leading expert in critical materials, particularly rare earths and lithium. With a PhD in physics and an MBA, he transitioned into capital markets in 2000, specialising in critical materials from 2009. His firm offers strategic advice and analysis, guiding clients through market volatility. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings The United States has ramped up efforts to hedge against rare earth export controls by China – the world’s dominant supplier – through agreements signed on Sunday with two Southeast Asian countries, including one that experts believe could deliver results relatively quickly. Memoranda of understanding with Malaysia and Thailand pave the way for increased critical mineral exports to US automotive, defence and hi-tech hardware manufacturers – following a US$8.5 billion US-Australia framework deal... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3330468/us-signs-rare-earth-mous-malaysia-thailand-can-it-hedge-against-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3330468/us-signs-rare-earth-mous-malaysia-thailand-can-it-hedge-against-china?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Oct 2025 10:30:15 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Malaysia’s ban on exports of unprocessed rare earth metals this week signals that the Southeast Asian country has a realistic shot – on its own terms – at feeding the mineral-hungry United States amid its strained trade ties with the world’s dominant supplier, China, according to analysts. Kuala Lumpur will bar exports of unprocessed rare earth minerals, which are globally prized raw materials used in a range of electronic hardware, to keep supplies onshore for investment in downstream... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3322810/malaysia-flexes-rare-earth-muscle-mineral-hungry-us-seeks-non-chinese-sources?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3322810/malaysia-flexes-rare-earth-muscle-mineral-hungry-us-seeks-non-chinese-sources?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Aug 2025 02:00:22 +0000 Alyssa Chen Alyssa Chen Rare earths are needed for everything from consumer electronics to electric vehicles, wind turbines and fighter jets – and China controls the supply chain. In a four-part series, we look at the race for rare earths, starting with the contest for reserves in developing countries. Former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping once said that “the Middle East has oil, China has rare earths”. His words carry new weight today as China’s stranglehold over the rare earths supply chain gives it leverage in the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3320666/us-china-battle-over-rare-earths-developing-nations-are-front-line?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3320666/us-china-battle-over-rare-earths-developing-nations-are-front-line?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 Aug 2025 22:00:08 +0000