Regardless of the dominant technologies of a particular era, countries must have access to their inputs or endure exploitation by others. After World War II, the list of necessary materials expanded “exponentially” (286). All these materials are by-products of the industrial age, and their development, production, and shipping depend on the technologies of that age. Each material has its own geography of success. In the global trade era, no constraints were associated with acquiring these materials, which are essential to modern life. The text posits that in a de-globalized world, countries would attempt to acquire them by any means. China is the world’s biggest importer, consumer, and processor of many of these materials. In the aftermath of China’s fall, the supply of these materials would be insufficient to meet global demand. The current system of international trade depends on the ready availability of these materials and safe trade routes because the location of raw materials and points of processing are typically in different countries.

Perhaps the most important material is iron ore, “the base material that makes everything from buildings to roads to telecom towers” (291) and the main element in steel. China is the largest importer, processor, and exporter of steel.