Toward Decline
China's critical metal imports soar 60% in push to control global supply
Nikkei Asia Major outlet·2026-06-26China EconomyP1: Resource SovereigntyP5: Strategic DecouplingP3: Industrial Base
Why it matters
China's 60% surge in critical-metals imports while tightening export controls directly undermines Australian resource sovereignty and strategic decoupling. Australia risks dependency on Chinese-controlled supply chains for advanced defence manufacturing, AUKUS submarine electronics, and grid-resilience technology—narrowing pillar options if Taiwan kinetic or Hormuz closure scenarios activate.
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