In a significant move, the four-nation Quad grouping launched an initiative to ensure a stable supply of critical minerals, in a bid to reduce their reliance on China. The Quad—India, the United States, Japan, and Australia—four nations’ plan is an ambitious start, but it’s a steep climb to outmanoeuvre China’s dominance.

The initiative, launched in July 2025, aims to collaborate in securing and diversifying supply chains for vital minerals, which are used to make everything from auto industries to wind turbines. The shared concern of the Quad nations was to reduce reliance on a single nation, as China sought to use restrictions on the minerals as leverage in the recent U.S.-China trade war The Quad’s goal is to build resilience, ensuring industries from Silicon Valley to New Delhi aren’t at Beijing’s mercy. It’s a high-stakes game, and the Quad is finally making a move.

The problem is daunting. China controls about 70 per cent of global critical mineral refining, from lithium for electric vehicle batteries to rare earths for wind turbines and missiles. It’s not just mining; China has mastered the midstream—processing raw ore into usable materials. China processes approximately 90 per cent of supply. For example, neodymium magnets, crucial for electric motors,........

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