On 10/18/04 12:09 PM, "Gary Lee, Vanagon Racks" <gary2a@TELUS.NET> wrote:

> As an aside, the cost of my raw materials such as tubing and fasteners has
> doubled in the past year.  I've been told this is because china is buying
> up the world's supply of metal.
> 
> Gary Lee
> Calgary, Canada
> http://www.telusplanet.net/public/gary2a/vw.htm

They are listed by opec as the highest increasing demand for oil in the last
5 years.  Averaging double demand each year.  VW is now the number two
seller in the country (was number one) and three of the majors are building
vehicles in country with demands higher than they can produce.  The Chinese
gvt says that in as little as two more years they may be in smog dangers in
the populated areas.

China has been buying up raw steel at double its rate each year as well.
Many other raw materials from their own country are creating massive
problems.  They are in competition with other areas of the world to see who
can strip forests faster.  Who can dam more and bigger rivers for power.

Think about the US in the build up following WWII.

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jimt
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