EU moves to cut reliance on Chinese rare earths

The European Union is developing a new plan to curb its reliance on Chinese critical raw materials, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says, as she criticised Beijing for its expanded restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals.

The European Union has for years attempted to reduce its dependence on China for the minerals that are needed for the transition to cleaner energy, the defence sector and electric vehicle production.

Von der Leyen said the EU would seek to speed up critical raw materials partnerships with countries such as Australia, Canada, Chile, Greenland, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine.

The plan would also include greater efforts to recycle critical raw materials in products sold in Europe, she said.

"The aim is to secure access to alternative sour