General Discussions, page-31759

A few matters regarding the Indonesian vision for the Ni value chain that includes graphite don't seem to add up smoothly.

If Indonesia has or is close to gaining control on global supply and wants to be the price maker, then the excerpt from Reuters News 29 May 2024 needs more critical analysis. Maybe all is not as rosy for Indonesia as has been painted by the media.
"Indonesia's nickel ore imports from the country likely hit around 500 000 metric tons in April and will again in May, more than double March volumes, two local smelters and a trader told Reuters.
Such monthly totals would also top imports from the Philippines for all of last year which came in at 374 454 tons."

If China controls the global graphite price and the supply, then why isn't Indonesia importing graphite from its Chinese trading partner? Afterall, China buys Ni from Indonesia. Cosely knit business ties and all that...
Why buy from Australia, which would keep the graphite mines operating rather than closing them down as seems to be the ultimate agenda?
Is it a two-prong attack by China and Indonesia to seize control over the sypply of and demand for green energy critical minerals?

If Indonesia does succeed in building the value chain, isn't it competing against China? Unless China is the behind the scenes financing partner?
Or is Indonesia getting concerned that China is already investing heavily in Mexico and some friendly European nations, and felt a bit left behind?
No matter the strategy, how to sell all their combined v alue chain products (with dirty mineral content) to the Western market against the intention of the IRA and European preference for non-dirty minerals?

My preference is to keep an open mind and remain alert to geopolitics and politicians' half-truths.