RISKS OF RUSSIA ‘WEAPONISING’ METALS8 Mar 2023 22:27
CITI WARNS CLIENTS ABOUT RISKS OF RUSSIA ‘WEAPONISING’ METALS
https://txtify.it/https://www.ft.com/content/6653aaaa-f6fd-4f20-91d0-3dd37e037da8
Citigroup has warned clients about the risks of Russia weaponising its
exports of materials such as aluminium, palladium and nuclear fuels,
potentially leading to price rises for these critical commodities.
None of these materials, widely used in industrial and energy
production, has yet been subject to western sanctions or export
restrictions by Russia since it began its full-scale invasion of
Ukraine a year ago.
Any move by Russia to restrict exports of such materials would send
shockwaves through commodity markets, disrupting global supply chains
and creating problems for manufacturers and automakers. The country
accounts for about a quarter of world production for some metals.
“Weaponising Russian metals exports may be around the corner,”
said Max Layton, head of Emea commodities research at Citi. “This
could well see prices of these commodities spike.”
The warning marks a departure from Citi’s previous views on how the
war might destabilise metals prices, which have typically been more
conservative.