标签： Asia

The United States has initiated a strategic multinational effort to establish a specialized trade zone for critical minerals, aiming to dismantle China’s overwhelming dominance in this vital industrial sector. This high-stakes initiative targets minerals essential for manufacturing everything from advanced smartphones to modern weapon systems.

On Wednesday, the State Department convened a significant gathering attended by representatives from at least 50 nations, including major economies such as the European Union, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, and resource-rich Democratic Republic of Congo. The primary focus was addressing global access and availability challenges for minerals crucial to computer chip production and electric vehicle batteries.

While US government officials including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio avoided direct references to China in their released remarks, Vance pointedly addressed the market distortion caused by ‘foreign supply’ flooding global markets. He emphasized how this dominance has created financing obstacles for other mineral-rich nations seeking to develop their resources. ‘Every single one of us represented in this room has become dependent on arrangements we did not choose, and right now, arrangements that we cannot control,’ Vance stated.

The US revealed substantial financial commitments to this sector, with Special Assistant David Copley announcing intentions to ‘deploy hundreds of billions of capital into the mining sector to get projects going.’ Investments have already been channeled to key companies including MP Materials, a rare earth magnets manufacturer, and Lithium Americas, which produces essential materials for rechargeable batteries.

Concurrently, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer disclosed that the United States, Japan, and the European Commission are developing coordinated trade policies and mechanisms to collectively secure mineral access and avoid potential supply disruptions.

This development occurred alongside a reportedly ‘very positive’ phone conversation between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, creating a complex diplomatic backdrop to the minerals initiative. China’s recent tightening of export controls, requiring government approval before shipping minerals abroad, has significantly impacted US industries that depend heavily on these imports. Analysts interpret China’s actions as leveraging its mineral dominance as a strategic bargaining chip in ongoing trade negotiations with Washington.

DUBAI – At the World Government Summit, a distinguished panel of global experts delivered a transformative vision for the future of work, emphasizing that artificial intelligence, economic volatility, and demographic shifts are permanently dismantling traditional career structures. The session, moderated by Ted Kemp of Khaleej Times, featured Gilbert Houngbo (International Labour Organization), Robyn Scott (Apolitical), and David Bach (IMD Business School), who collectively argued that adaptation must become humanity’s core competency.

In a significant departure from conventional workforce planning, Gilbert Houngbo asserted that governments must embrace uncertainty as the new constant. ‘Predicting the labor market’s landscape in five, ten, or twenty years is increasingly challenging,’ he stated, advocating for resilient, flexible institutions instead of rigid long-term plans. He issued a critical warning regarding AI’s productivity paradox: while automation delivers efficiency gains, these benefits are not automatically translating into improved wages or job security. ‘The widening gap between productivity and compensation demands proactive policy intervention to prevent deepening inequalities,’ Houngbo emphasized, noting that continuous skill investment has transitioned from optional to fundamental.

Robyn Scott presented a compelling case for governmental AI adoption, identifying a staggering $1.75 trillion productivity opportunity within bureaucratic systems. She championed human-AI collaboration where algorithms handle repetitive tasks while humans focus on complex judgment-driven work. ‘The crucial distinction lies in whether humans operate above or below the algorithm,’ Scott cautioned. ‘Surrendering全部 human agency to automated systems creates a zero-sum dynamic that poses profound societal dangers.’ She reframed retraining as an ongoing ‘change management muscle’ rather than a one-time initiative.

David Bach addressed the psychological dimension of workplace evolution, identifying fear—not technology—as the primary obstacle. Contrasting global optimism levels, he noted significantly higher confidence in the UAE compared to Western nations. ‘Pessimism paralyzes skill investment and stifles experimentation,’ Bach observed. ‘True leadership involves articating optimistic visions that acknowledge risks while mobilizing collective action.’

All experts concurred that ‘good work’ must be redefined beyond job titles in an era of non-linear careers. Houngbo emphasized AI’s role in reducing hardship while ensuring decent wages and social protections, particularly for women in automation-vulnerable roles. Scott noted the shrinking ‘half-life’ of professions, urging a shift from external job identity to internal meaning. Bach illustrated this with the example of a hospital cleaner deriving profound purpose from supporting cancer patients, demonstrating that meaningful work transcends technological prestige.

The panel anticipated fundamental organizational redesign, with AI enabling individual contributors to achieve massive impact without becoming managers. Scott advocated replacing role-based thinking with task-oriented workflows, while Bach emphasized creating environments where experimentation and safe failure become institutional norms. As the experts concluded, the future belongs to those who can navigate perpetual transformation with purpose and adaptability.

SEOUL – The humble gim, a crispy dried seaweed staple of Korean cuisine, has transformed into a billion-dollar global commodity, creating both economic opportunity and domestic consumer anxiety as prices reach unprecedented levels.

For 47 years, vendor Lee Hyang-ran has witnessed the evolution of gim from a local dietary essential to an international sensation. ‘Western visitors once considered this black, paper-like snack peculiar,’ the veteran merchant remarked from her Seoul market stall. ‘Now they seek it out specifically.’

South Korea dominates the global gim market, exporting $1.13 billion worth of dried seaweed in 2025 according to the Korea Maritime Institute. This remarkable figure represents a steady upward trajectory fueled by the worldwide Korean cultural wave. The product has earned the nickname ‘black semiconductor’ in reference to Korea’s technological dominance, highlighting its economic significance.

This international appetite comes with domestic consequences. Gim prices have surged approximately 50% within a year, breaking historical records. The standard sheet that cost 100 won ($0.06) in 2024 now exceeds 150 won, with premium products reaching 350 won per sheet.

Consumers like Kim Jaela, who traditionally purchased in bulk, are reconsidering their buying habits. ‘I noticed the price increase immediately when shopping online,’ she explained. ‘If prices remain elevated, I’ll need to adjust my purchasing patterns significantly.’

The global fascination stems from cultural phenomena including K-pop and television dramas that showcase Korean cuisine. American supermarket chain Trader Joe’s experienced a viral sensation with their gimbap (seaweed-wrapped rice rolls) in 2023, with products disappearing from shelves nationwide shortly after launch.

International visitors recognize both the similarities and distinctions between gim and Japanese nori. ‘Gim is lighter, crispier, and typically grilled with sesame oil and salt,’ noted Miki, a Japanese tourist. ‘The flavor profile is distinctly different.’

Professor Lee Eunhee of Inha University’s consumer studies department observes: ‘Growing global familiarity with gim from Asian to Western markets has increased international demand, which consequently drives up domestic prices.’

The production side faces its own challenges. Kim Namin, who operates a family-owned processing factory in Wando, acknowledges the supply-demand imbalance. ‘There aren’t enough gim factories to meet rising demand,’ he stated, noting his family’s consideration of operational expansion. He emphasized gim’s price sensitivity in the domestic market, where even minor increases generate consumer resistance.

Multiple factors contribute to the price surge, including overall inflation, rising labor costs, reduced overseas production, and fundamentally, unprecedented global demand. In response, government agencies and corporations are implementing countermeasures. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is monitoring the situation closely, while companies like Pulmone plan to establish land-based seaweed research centers enabling year-round production.

Despite domestic concerns, the international market continues to thrive. Lee Hyang-ran reports unprecedented sales: ‘Gim sells like hotcakes, especially varieties for making gimbap. I’m delighted that Korean gim has gained such popularity.’