A halt in trading of the commodity nickel earlier this month in response to massive manipulation by a Chinese investor provided fresh evidence that "the markets" aren't real at all, and that the masters of the universe who control them can and do manipulate them to their advantage, screwing over ordinary investors who are simply trying to retire with a few bucks in their account.

As reported by the Epoch Times, the "London Metal Exchange's (LME) extraordinary decision on March 8 to halt nickel trading after a short squeeze, triggered by a Chinese metal tycoon's large short position, sent the commodity price skyrocketing to more than $100,000 a ton."

The outlet went on to note that the stoppage will no doubt have long-lasting, far-reaching consequences for not just Chinese firms in global markets, but anyone who is still relying on a system of investment that is obviously rigged.

Christopher Balding, an economist and analyst of Chinese business affairs, noted that following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, nickel prices – like prices for many other food and mineral commodities produced by both countries – have risen, in no small part because it is vital for the manufacture of electric vehicles, as well as other uses. Russia has heavy deposits of the precious metal, and now the country is bearing the brunt of massive economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. and Europe, among other Western nations.