Supply Chains as Geography

The COVID-19 pandemic showed how much geography still shapes modern economies. When China's factories shut down in early 2020, products vanished from shelves worldwide because global supply chains are geographically concentrated.

Over 90% of the world's most advanced semiconductors are manufactured in Taiwan, a single island. Most rare earth minerals come from China, and much of the world's lithium comes from a triangle spanning Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia.

This concentration means a disaster, conflict, or trade dispute in one place can paralyze global industries overnight.