THAT European government they were busy arming themselves soldier in an effort to counter increasing Russian assertiveness and US isolation. However, to do this, they must use Rare Earths and permanent magnets are mostly produced and processed in China. Well, there’s an important issue: Dragons have an important place export restrictions from these materials. These materials are of course used in making missiles, jets, drones and various military equipment, as well as everyday technology such as PCs, tablets and smartphones. Beijing has made the most of its dominant position amid multiple trade tensions with Washington and Brussels, tightening or relaxing controls on the aforementioned Rare Earths during negotiations. So, for now Ursula von der Leyen urges the European Union to “fight for their independence” On critical minerals, EU trade officials are said to be working hard with their Chinese counterparts to try to secure supplies to the continent.
The EU has a problem with Rare Earths
As he explained New York Times in a lengthy study, ambassadors from 27 EU countries were told that China was willing to do so negotiate general permits to simplify the export of rare earths to Europe. However, there is no guarantee that such a solution will work fast times and it long-lasting. Brussels is actually focused on search alternative source options. In the short term, the goal of negotiations is “providing greater certainty to European industrysaid Olof Gill, spokesperson for the European Commission.
At the same time, he explained further NYTEuropean leaders know that their military buildup depends on an increasingly unreliable relationship with China. The point is without a flow of essential minerals There isn’t any rearm. Dragon’s April restrictions remain in place for European buyers and, despite all the EU talk of diversification, the Asian giant has left Brussels in the lurch. About 98% most of Rare Earth’s main imports to the European Union come from China. Is there a solution? The Old Continent is committed to overcoming this dependency and has approved a law aimed at creating a national industry, which came into effect in 2024. However, replacing China’s extraction and refining capacity will not be a quick or easy endeavor.
What does China have to do with it?
Analyst from a consulting company SFA Oxford they predicted that “complete diversification” from China to Europe will require from eight to twelve years oldgiven the time needed to develop mines, build refineries, expand production and work within the NATO supply chain. When talking about the defense industry, ”Europe doesn’t have much time”. European countries are rushing to increase defense spending in an effort to develop key capabilities by 2030. To achieve this goal, the EU has relaxed budget rules and launched a loan program from 150 billion euros to help finance military spending.
Lack of access to critical minerals could hamper these initiatives, worsen the geopolitical situation and shape Europe’s future. These products are essential for the manufacture of F-35 fighters, drones, submarines, Tomahawk missiles, radar systems, and other military technologies that are produced in the United States or the European Union (and that Europe wants to accumulate as part of its weapons plans).
“China’s main goal, in this case, is to slow the advance of the United States and Europe through connections“, explains Benedetta Girardi, analyst at the Center for Strategic Studies in The Hague.”If this impacts one’s security sector, it also impacts other security sectors“, added the expert.
