Vietnam to Lead Asia in Fighting Forced Labour in Critical Mineral Supply Chains

Vietnam is poised to lead Asia's fight against forced labour within critical mineral supply chains. This move signals Vietnam's willingness to address the issue amidst growing international demand for supply chain transparency and ethical sourcing. Critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earths, whose demand has surged in recent years, are particularly vulnerable to forced labour risks throughout their extraction and processing. Consequently, companies and governments worldwide are facing pressure to enhance due diligence in their mineral procurement. As a manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is integral to the supply chains of numerous international corporations. Vietnam's active engagement in this initiative could significantly contribute to the sustainability of regional supply chains. Under its one-party system, the Vietnamese government navigates the dual challenges of economic growth and maintaining international trust, making the eradication of forced labour a crucial step towards achieving both. Given China's substantial global share in critical mineral supply, other nations like Vietnam taking a lead on the ethical aspects of supply chains carries geopolitical implications. Vietnam, while carefully managing its relationship with China, aims to achieve economic independence and expand its influence internationally, with this endeavour appearing to be part of that strategy. Source: East Asia Forum Vietnam