Cory Combs

Cory Combs, Head of supply chain research at Trivium China and expert on critical minerals, joins for an insightful conversation about the evolving U.S.-China trade tensions. He discusses the recent pause in tariff escalations and its potential longevity, emphasizing that a stalemate is better than more drastic measures. The talk then shifts to China's strategic export controls on rare earth elements, revealing their significance for global supply chains and national security. Combs shares the implications for companies navigating these turbulent waters.

Cory Combs, head of critical mineral and supply chain research at Trivium China, dives deep into the intricacies of rare earth export controls and U.S.-China trade dynamics. He discusses China’s recent export license approvals and the unlikely scenario of easing dual-use export restrictions. The conversation touches on the repercussions for U.S. manufacturers and highlights China’s retaliatory tactics against companies compliant with U.S. regulations. Combs emphasizes the fragile state of the 90-day de-escalation and what might disrupt this tentative peace.

In this discussion, Lewis Black, co-founder and CEO of Almonty Industries, and Cory Combs, Head of Critical Minerals and Supply Chain Research at Trivium China, delve into the pressing issues of critical minerals and supply chain geopolitics. They explore why the West is overly reliant on Chinese supply chains and the wake-up call the 2008 financial crisis should have been. The conversation shifts to addressing the disparities between commercial and national interests, as well as strategies for the U.S. to diversify its critical supply chains.