The weekly letter
Upstream
by Tettares
One supply-chain situation per week, analyzed in depth from primary sources. The actuator suppliers, the foundry capacity, the orbital launch manifest, the qubit roadmap. Translated, structured, and explained, every fact scored and sourced. Enter your email on any locked issue for instant access.
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Who Owns the Means of War Production?
Everyone says America depends on China for energy and rare earths. Is the defense sector next? We traced it, document by document.
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A Tale of Two Assembly Lines: Figure vs. Optimus
Two of the most watched humanoid programs in the world share exactly two named suppliers: the cell and the joint. Neither of them is American.
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The crown jewels have legs
In physical AI, the most valuable IP is the part nobody filed: the unpatented process knowledge that can walk out the door at 6 p.m.
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The circular AI trade, mapped
A worked example of the well-known circular AI trade, traced through NVIDIA: its customers, its suppliers, and the companies it funds to buy its own chips.
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The humanoid joint is going to China
Optimus's actuator supply chain is quietly relocating to China. The map, scored and sourced.
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