---
title: "China's mineral and fiber dominance fuels AI supply concerns"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/286658881.md"
description: "China dominates the supply of key minerals and fiber, creating dependencies in the AI supply chain. U.S. firms are exploring deep-sea mining in the Cook Islands for cobalt, nickel, and rare earths. The demand for fiber in AI data centers is causing shortages and price increases, leading to long-term supplier agreements."
datetime: "2026-05-17T02:57:18.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/286658881.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/286658881.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/286658881.md)
---

# China's mineral and fiber dominance fuels AI supply concerns

China's supply edge: China refines most key minerals and leads in fiber production, creating dependencies in the AI supply chain. Deep-sea mining push: U.S. firms are eyeing polymetallic nodules in the Cook Islands to secure decades of cobalt, nickel, and rare earths. Fiber bottlenecks: AI data centers require vastly more fiber, driving shortages, price hikes, and long-term supplier deals.

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