DSET Energy Security and Climate Resilience Research Program Policy Analyst Angela Glowacki on Dec. 16, 2025 delivered a presentation at the “Economic Analysis of Supply Chain Vulnerabilities” symposium co-hosted by the Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI), Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), and Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization (IDE-JETRO).
Glowacki presented in the session, “Analysis of Supply Chain Vulnerabilities Using World Input-Output Tables and Trade Data,” chaired by JETRO Director General Akihiko Tamura. She presented alongside Richard Baldwin, Professor of International Economics at the International Institute for Management Development, IDE-JETRO researchers Ikumo Isono and Satoru Kumagi.
Glowacki shared DSET’s recent research on vulnerabilities in critical mineral supply chains resulting from China’s dominant position. She first outlined China’s strategy for securing overseas critical mineral resources, highlighting nickel reserves in Indonesia’s industrial parks as a prime example. Through strategic overseas investments—supported by state-owned banks and joint ventures with Indonesian firms—China has gained extensive access to Indonesia’s nickel reserves. Glowacki emphasized China’s substantial presence in these industrial parks and underscored the need for increased investment from democratic countries to counterbalance China’s expanding influence.
To further illustrate national security concerns tied to China’s dominance in global critical mineral supply chains, the second part of her presentation examined dependencies in the drone battery supply chain, especially regarding Taiwanese-made batteries. She stressed the importance of securing stable supplies of electrode materials and identified opportunities for deeper collaboration between Taiwan and like-minded partners. For Taiwan, such cooperation is crucial to supporting its comparatively small but highly specialized battery industry.
Responding to questions from session discussant Professor Byung-Yeom Kim of Seoul National University, Glowacki addressed differences among battery chemistries and highlighted the need to secure battery-grade critical materials for both NMC and LFP batteries. She also pointed out that South Korea and Japan—both leaders in battery and battery material production—could benefit from joint investments in critical mineral projects to safeguard their respective industries.
