Chapter 379: The Lifeline of Exports

Nickel ore was once Indonesia's export lifeline, a goldmine from which they made easy money.
The world's largest production volume was no joke.
But they deliberately cut off their own source of income by refusing to sell.
"They figured it out: selling raw ore is like selling wheat for 100 yuan and then buying back processed bread for 1000 yuan.
In the end, everyone else is making the profits. How could they be willing to accept that?
So, they simply overturned the table and stopped selling raw ore altogether.
They issued a direct ban, changing it to attracting investment, requiring all overseas companies wanting to buy mines to build factories in Indonesia, process the goods locally, and retain the profit chain."
"So, they only sell finished products, not raw materials?"
"Yes! Because of this, countries that had been importing nickel ore from Indonesia for years were in an uproar, and the case even went to the International Court of Arbitration.
But frankly, in the end, it didn't do much good.
They just said one thing: 'My mine, my rules.' What can you do, send an aircraft carrier to seize it?"
You can imagine how bewildered those countries and companies dependent on Indonesian nickel ore were at the time.
Without a word, without any warning, the supply was cut off—a move that was tantamount to a backstab to the global supply chain.
Countless companies suffered huge losses as a result, and global nickel prices skyrocketed.
"While from their perspective, it's understandable.
However, the methods were indeed crude and too aggressive.
They should have at least given a grace period. This was like a heavy hammer blow to the market, leaving everyone dizzy and disoriented."
The conclusion is that regardless of external criticism, Indonesia is determined to enforce the nickel ore export ban to the end.
"..."
But why? Why is his intuition still frantically sending signals to the word "nickel ore"?
It's as if it's telling him there's more to this than meets the eye. And a huge deal at that!
“This nickel ore,” Su Hao tapped his fingers lightly on the document, “could you ask the Indonesian government for me? Tell them we want to buy it.”
“Yes, Mr. Su, but… the Indonesian government is completely unyielding now, refusing to listen to anyone.
Other countries have protested for so long, but they’ve ignored it.
They’re now determined to build their own complete industry chain, and there are already plenty of foreign companies lining up to build factories there.”
The implication was that going there would likely be a waste of time.
But intuition, like a woman’s sixth sense, is irrational yet terrifyingly accurate.
“Just tell them we’re willing to raise the price a little above market value.
I know they’ve banned exports, but everything is negotiable. They can ban it, we can ask them—it’s not illegal, right?”
“Okay. I’ll go ask right away. But Mr. Su, don’t get your hopes up too high…”
“Just ask.”
“Yes.”
Su Hao leaned back in his chair, lost in thought.
First wheat, then natural gas, and now nickel…
Su Hao rubbed his temples. If he actually managed to get his hands on this stuff, where would he stockpile it?
***
Indonesia, Presidential Palace.
“What? What does Fang Huan Investment want?!”
"They sent someone to inquire, saying they want to buy our nickel ore. The price is negotiable; we can raise it a bit above the current market price."
President Joko Widodo, upon hearing the report, nearly crushed his coffee cup in anger.
He already felt that paying that damned "shared cost" was like being forced to hand over money at gunpoint by Fang Huan Investment, leaving him seething with rage.
While the money was owed, being forced to pay it was a completely different feeling!
Regardless, Fang Huan Investment's actions had thoroughly disgusted him.
Now, the money had just arrived, and they were already pushing their luck again, even more aggressively!
"What are they trying to do? Are they addicted to extortion?!
They want our nickel mine too?!
Taking our money isn't enough, they want to tear us down?!"
President Joko Widodo roared, spitting as he spoke.
"Don't they know we've already issued an export ban? Are these idiots deliberately trying to cause trouble?!"
The Vice President tried to calm the enraged president down, finally managing to quell his rage.
"Mr. President, please calm down. I think Fang Huan's people definitely know about our ban."
"Then why are they making such an insulting demand?!"
"Have you forgotten your previous assessment? You said that Fang Huan's investment wasn't just about the money."
President Joko Widodo froze, then a chill ran down his spine.
His ominous premonition had come true.
I knew it!
How could an international behemoth like Fanghuan Investment go to such lengths, donating $300 million and sending people to provide aid, just to collect a mere contribution?
It doesn't make sense!
"Just as I thought! These bastards really had ulterior motives!"
President Joko Widodo suddenly realized, feeling he had seen through everything.
Fanghuan Investment had finally revealed their bottomless, wolfish ambitions!
Charity, vaccines—it was all a facade!
Their real target, from the very beginning, was Indonesia's lifeline—nickel mines!
"What should we do?" the Vice President asked cautiously.
"What should we do? Refuse! We must refuse!" President Joko Widodo slammed his fist on the table.
"We've already given them the money, and they still want more? This is robber logic, banditry!"
"But… we were supposed to pay that money anyway," the Vice President whispered a reminder.
"Yes! It's time to pay!" President Joko Widodo roared unreasonably.
"But if it weren't for Fang Huan Investment, that troublemaker, we might never have had to pay that money!"
Want nickel ore? No way! We'll weld the windows shut too!
"Give them one word: Get out!"
"But what if Fang Huan Investment gets angry and tries to harm us..."
"Then let them come at us!
Investigate! Investigate every single transaction of that money from the Fang Huan Foundation, see if there's anything illegal!"
President Joko Widodo's eyes flashed with a fierce light.
"Also, investigate those terrorist organizations in Indonesia, whether they're colluding with Fang Huan Investment, investigate them thoroughly!
If we catch even the slightest incriminating evidence, I'll make them regret it!"
He had already humiliatingly bowed his head once on the issue of cost-sharing.
A second lower price? Absolutely not!
The Vice President nodded in agreement, but his face remained etched with worry:
"However, Mr. President, the vaccine is still in their hands, which is indeed a bit tricky."
"Besides that... AstraZeneca company, is there nowhere else to manufacture vaccines?"
"Other companies have tried, but AstraZeneca's technology is world-class. From production lines to the transportation chain, they practically monopolize every link. Others simply can't compete and gave up long ago."
In short, AstraZeneca has a monopoly on vaccines.