EU Unveils Plan to Reduce Dependence on Chinese Rare Earth Materials

The European Union is intensifying efforts to reduce dependence on Chinese rare earth materials, as EU President Ursula von der Leyen condemns Beijings export restrictions amid global supply chain concerns.

• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a new plan on Saturday to decrease the European Unions reliance on China for critical raw materials essential for energy transition and defense.
• The EUs initiative comes in response to Beijings recent expansions of restrictions on the export of rare-earth elements, which are crucial for technologies like electric vehicles.
• For years, Europe has sought to diversify its sources of rare-earth materials, recognizing their importance in achieving sustainability and technological independence from China.