Gadgets in the Dragon's Grip: China's control over critical minerals (Feat. Tomasz Nadrowski) episode artwork

EPISODE · May 15, 2026 · 31 MIN

Gadgets in the Dragon's Grip: China's control over critical minerals (Feat. Tomasz Nadrowski)

from On the Fringe · host Dave and Gavin

This week, Dave and Gav sit down with Tomasz Nadrowski, author of Mineral Wars: China’s Quest for Weapons of Mineral Destruction. They dive into chokepoint theory, fragile supply chains and the disquieting reality that modern life is held together by a handful of minerals most people have never heard about until somebody threatens access to them.The conversation digs into how China has built enormous leverage over rare earth processing over the last few decades, why everything from smartphones and EVs to missile guidance systems depends on materials pulled from contested supply networks, and how governments are suddenly rediscovering that globalization works wonderfully right up until one country controls the thing your entire economy needs to survive.As always, thanks for listening! We really appreciate your listenership and the growing On the Fringe Community.  Don't forget to check out Tomasz's excellent podcast, Tyranny Today. And also, his book Mineral War: China's Quest for Weapons of Mineral DestructionIf you enjoyed the podcast, shoot us a message: [email protected] and leave us a review! All the best from both of us, Dave and Gav 

This week, Dave and Gav sit down with Tomasz Nadrowski, author of Mineral Wars: China’s Quest for Weapons of Mineral Destruction. They dive into chokepoint theory, fragile supply chains and the disquieting reality that modern life is held together by a handful of minerals most people have never heard about until somebody threatens access to them.The conversation digs into how China has built enormous leverage over rare earth processing over the last few decades, why everything from smartphones and EVs to missile guidance systems depends on materials pulled from contested supply networks, and how governments are suddenly rediscovering that globalization works wonderfully right up until one country controls the thing your entire economy needs to survive.As always, thanks for listening! We really appreciate your listenership and the growing On the Fringe Community.  Don't forget to check out Tomasz's excellent podcast, Tyranny Today. And also, his book Mineral War: China's Quest for Weapons of Mineral DestructionIf you enjoyed the podcast, shoot us a message: [email protected] and leave us a review! All the best from both of us, Dave and Gav

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Gadgets in the Dragon's Grip: China's control over critical minerals (Feat. Tomasz Nadrowski)

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This episode was published on May 15, 2026.

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This week, Dave and Gav sit down with Tomasz Nadrowski, author of Mineral Wars: China’s Quest for Weapons of Mineral Destruction. They dive into chokepoint theory, fragile supply chains and the disquieting reality that modern life is held together...

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