STRATEGIC MINERALS AND BRAZIL-CHINA RELATIONS: OPPORTUNITIES FOR COOPERATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BRAZILIAN MINERAL INDUSTRY

Abstract

Mineral raw materials are the basis of world economy and will continue to be in the future. Certain raw materials have peculiarities because both the supply risk and its economic importance vary between countries or group of countries, putting forward the definition of "critical" because they present uncertainties in their markets. In the context of the global relevance of mineral goods, this paper discusses some of the aspects of Brazil and China trade, as nations that hold raw materials of great global importance and whose similarities and complementarities deserve to be analyzed as an example of corporate partnership. The bilateral importance of Brazil-China trade relations in the international commodities market, its different policies and strategies for mineral goods, will also be addressed in comparison with the policies of the United States and the European Union. Finally, the case of Brazilian niobium will be discussed, which is a critical raw material for consumer countries and strategic for Brazil, the largest world producer, in the interface of its relationship with China, the greatest innovator in niobium applications. The relations between Brazil and China on the issue of strategic and critical mineral products suggest opportunities and cooperation for expanding partnerships through Science, Technology and Innovation.

Keywords

• strategic minerals
• critical raw materials
• niobium
• st&i
• china-brazil trade