Ann: Changes to the Inca Board, page-22

I don't accept that WW3 is inevitable - and certainly not over Taiwan, too costly for the gain. Only possibility is Russia + China as allies with China screwing Africa and South America into the game. That way China can guarantee supply of it's oil and raw materials - mainly from Russia - as NATO cuts off seaborne supply.
Now game play all that through and you will see that so long as the west arms, there wont be a WW3, unless started by madmen.

Anyway gold and copper are vital raw materials - in war gold allows you to trade where fiat currency no longer has as much worth. Hopefully JE can help fill the nations coffers. It will be very precious.