More importantly, Vietnam also has valuable rare earth resources estimated at 20 million tons with a value of $3 trillion. In fact, Indonesia’s nickel export ban has already resulted in Chinese investments in the country in nickel processing plants. Estimates of Indonesia’s nickel ore production for this year is at 1.99 million metric tons, six times more than the Philippines’ projected output. Of course, there is the strong likelihood that if the Philippines really wants to attract investors to put up a nickel processing plant, Chinese firms would still be the most interested. The recent China military maneuvers around Taiwan last week clearly showed that China can easily choke off the Taiwan supply chain.
