Dr. Franczak’s remarks focused on how current shifts in global trade, especially the rising strategic importance of critical minerals, risk reinforcing long-standing patterns where developing countries export raw materials while higher value is captured elsewhere.

He stressed that these outcomes are shaped not only by capacity constraints, but also by rules and power asymmetries embedded in the trading system, including tariff structures, standards and uneven negotiating positions.

Drawing on experience from sovereign debt governance, he pointed to how coordinated action by developing countries has, in some cases, helped shift rules and practices over time.

A similar logic, he suggested, may be relevant for trade and critical minerals today – where collective approaches can help influence contracts, standards and expectations across the system.