Critical minerals geopolitics sparks increasing protectionism

Seventy-two countries have significantly increased their interventionist policies and protectionism over the past five years, according to research firm Maplecroft.

The Political Risk Outlook uses the company's Resource Nationalism Index to measure government control of economic activity within the mining and energy sectors in 198 countries.

The fracturing geopolitical landscape has spurred the acceleration of policies aimed at acquiring the minerals needed for the green transition and energy security.

The pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine has weighed down heavily on Europe.

Maplecroft predicts Western democracies will form partnerships between national and corporate interests by offering incentives as well as to reshore supply chains closer to home.