2024-12-26
(Maeil Business Newspapaer, Dec. 25, 2024)
“The MBK that’s so attractive to Chinese capital…I’m worried about technology transfer. South Korea-U.S. joint efforts to de-China may weaken” Emphasis on government-level cooperation to build key mineral supply chains
A U.S. congressman sent an official letter to the U.S. State Department expressing concern over the Korean Zinc crisis and asking for active participation at the government level to build a supply chain in de-China.
According to the business community on the 25th, U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell said in an official letter to U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Jose Fernandez that South Korea and the U.S. should work closely to counter China’s resource weaponization, referring to the management dispute over Korea Zinc.
Rep. Swalwell reportedly sent the letter as co-chair of the Critical Materials Caucus, a council of lawmakers dealing with key minerals within the U.S. Congress. The Core Minerals Council is an organization formed by MPs formed to ensure a stable supply chain for key minerals, focusing on strengthening global resource security and economic resilience.
In the letter, Swalwell emphasized the need to build a stable supply chain for “de-Chinaization,” referring to China’s pressure on exports of key minerals such as graphite and antimony to the U.S. in protest of the U.S. additional sanctions on semiconductors.
Korea Zinc was mentioned as a company that should cooperate to build a supply chain in China. Rep. Swalwell said in a letter that “Korea Zinc is a global leader in diversifying its core mineral supply chain.” Korea Zinc, which produces the world’s largest zinc, silver, and copper, will reduce its dependence on China and provide a stable supply chain to major battery manufacturers around the world through its all-in-one nickel smelter located in Ulsan, he said.
※ Full Article: A U.S. congressman sent an official letter to the U.S. State Department expressing concern over the .. – MK
