The Briefing Room

What are rare earths and why does everyone want them?


Listen Later

President Trump has signed a minerals deal with Ukraine, which will give the US access to some of Ukraine’s natural resources. The US president also said he’d like to take over Greenland and even Canada. Why? Well one reason may well be the rare earths and critical minerals found there. Critical minerals are vital for almost every industry from the manufacturing of computers to fighter jets. But in recent years the rise of green technologies has been fuelling demand for minerals used to make batteries for electric cars and other renewable infrastructure. One country dominates the minerals market - China - which has repercussions for the rest of the world, including the US. David Aaronovitch and guests discuss what and where these minerals are, why everyone wants them and how the rest of the world can compete with China.

Guests:

Ellie Saklatvala, Head of Nonferrous Metal Pricing, Argus, a provider of market intelligence for the global commodity markets.

Henry Sanderson, author of ‘Volt Rush, the Winners and Losers in the Race to Go Green’ and Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute
Sophia Kalantzakos, Global Distinguished Professor in Environmental Studies and Public Policy at New York University in Abu Dhabi and the author of 'China and the Geopolitics of Rare Earths'
Olivia Lazard, a senior fellow affiliated with the think tank, Carnegie Europe and Berggruen Institute

Presenter: David Aaronovitch

Producers: Caroline Bayley, Nathan Gower and Kirsteen Knight
Production co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman
Sound engineer: David Crackles
Editor: Richard Vadon

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Briefing RoomBy BBC Radio 4

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

53 ratings


More shows like The Briefing Room

View all
Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,877 Listeners

The Archers by BBC Radio 4

The Archers

1,085 Listeners

From Our Own Correspondent by BBC Radio 4

From Our Own Correspondent

376 Listeners

More or Less by BBC Radio 4

More or Less

854 Listeners

Newshour by BBC World Service

Newshour

1,074 Listeners

In Our Time by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time

5,576 Listeners

The Documentary Podcast by BBC World Service

The Documentary Podcast

1,801 Listeners

6 Minute English by BBC Radio

6 Minute English

1,766 Listeners

The Infinite Monkey Cage by BBC Radio 4

The Infinite Monkey Cage

1,960 Listeners

The Bottom Line by BBC Radio 4

The Bottom Line

40 Listeners

Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast by Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast

Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast

425 Listeners

Moral Maze by BBC Radio 4

Moral Maze

69 Listeners

Political Fix by Financial Times

Political Fix

156 Listeners

The Inquiry by BBC World Service

The Inquiry

746 Listeners

Daily Politics from the New Statesman by The New Statesman

Daily Politics from the New Statesman

144 Listeners

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson by BBC Radio 4

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson

113 Listeners

You're Dead to Me by BBC Radio 4

You're Dead to Me

3,215 Listeners

Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government by Institute for Government

Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government

23 Listeners

Americast by BBC News

Americast

790 Listeners

The Bomb by BBC World Service

The Bomb

1,014 Listeners

The Rest Is Politics by Goalhanger

The Rest Is Politics

3,875 Listeners

The Rest Is Politics: Leading by Goalhanger

The Rest Is Politics: Leading

858 Listeners

When It Hits the Fan by BBC Radio 4

When It Hits the Fan

49 Listeners

Radical with Amol Rajan by BBC Radio 4

Radical with Amol Rajan

44 Listeners