EU Moves to Reduce Dependence on Chinese Rare Earths Amid Rising Trade Tensions

Brussels: The European Union is stepping up efforts to reduce its reliance on Chinese rare earth elements following Beijing’s recent expansion of export restrictions. The EU aims to secure alternative sources and strengthen domestic production to safeguard critical industries such as automotive, defense, aerospace, and advanced technologies.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled the RESourceEU initiative, which mirrors the earlier REPowerEU strategy that sought to lessen dependence on Russian energy after the 2022 Ukraine crisis. The new plan focuses on partnerships with countries like Australia, Canada, Chile, Greenland, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine, while also boosting recycling and domestic production of essential materials within Europe.

Von der Leyen