CHOKEPOINTS OF THE ENERGY TRANSITION

US-CHINA WEAPONIZED INTERDEPENDENCE IN CRITICAL MINERALS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR GLOBAL CLIMATE GOVERNANCE

Abstract

Contemporary clean energy transition has created a new forms of economic dependence for countries. Solar Panels, lithium-ion batteries, wind turbines and electric vehicles need important minerals, whose refining is highly concentrated in China. This article examine how the United States and China are weaponizing the clean-energy cooperation and outcomes in global climate governance, for their political and economic gains and how this competition is affecting in cooperation and outcomes in global climate governance. This article utilize two theories , Newman's theory of weaponized interdependence and Keohane and Victor's concept of the climate regime complex. This article traces the Chinese’s export restriction on gallium, germanium etc ,as a case through which to investigate the strategic use of supply-chain dependence . The United States and China are increasingly competing to control clean-energy technologies. Moreover, this competition divides the world into rival economic and technological groups , also weakens their cooperation on climate change. including the partnership that helped support the Paris Agreement. It argues that weaponized interdependence turns the energy transition from a global public good into an object of strategic competition. Developing nations are paying more cost , as they were highly depended on low cost Chinese clean-energy technologies, if these Chinese products become expensive developing countries will suffer most to means their climate goals.