Critical minerals are reshaping global trade as demand rises for clean energy, electrification and digital technology, the UN Trade and Development agency (UNCTAD) says according to Al Jazeera.

The burgeoning energy crisis spawned by the US–Israel war on Iran has again placed energy security at the centre of geopolitical tensions.

In its June 2026 Global Trade Update, UNCTAD said copper, nickel, lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements have become central to industrial policy, development and geopolitical competition.

The agency said these minerals are essential for electric vehicles, battery storage, renewable energy technologies, semiconductors and data centres.