Editor's Note: This assessment is part of RANE's ongoing series analyzing the geopolitics of natural resources and raw materials, which will be published periodically throughout the remainder of 2026; previous installments of this series can be found here . China is increasingly leveraging its dominance over critical raw materials to discourage Western countries from diversifying their supply chains, but the West will remain intent on de-risking its critical industries, which will gradually reduce China's leverage over its strategic rivals and drag on its economic growth. Over the last decade, the West has accelerated efforts to diversify its supply chains away from China to protect its national security.