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Rare earths

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'Global race for critical raw materials is about power' - Commission

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EU.XL

Europe’s largest rare earths mine: EU funding conflicts with its laws

The European Union is pouring financial resources into Europe’s largest known rare-earth project to reduce its dependence on China for critical raw materials. But how does the same EU legal framework threaten to halt this strategic push?

Economy

Oil vs. rare earths: Which will shape the global economy’s future?

Oil shaped the last century, but rare earths may shape the next. As economies electrify and AI expands, control over critical materials is becoming a new source of global power.

EU.XL

Why has Greenland become a strategic focus for global powers?

Tensions have escalated between the US and Europe as Donald Trump ratchets up efforts to acquire Greenland. Its wealth in rare earths and other minerals makes it highly attractive. Watch the video.

EU.XL

Is Europe losing the race to secure rare earth materials?

US President Trump’s threat of additional tariffs to force the acquisition of Greenland highlights a persistent concern: Europe is lagging in the global competition for rare earths and critical minerals. Has it already lost the race?

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EU.XL

The race for Greenland: Should Europe bet its future on rare earths?

Has Europe already fallen behind in the race for rare earths, and what price, if any, should it pay to catch up? Take our poll and share your view.

Europe News

In 2025, global trade cracked under tariffs and new China shock

Hit by US tariffs and Chinese weaponisation of critical goods, the EU became squeezed by the aggressive trade agenda of the world’s two largest economies. Brussels now ponders new alliances and new markets.

Economy

EU Commission sharpens its trade doctrine to counter foreign threats

The European Commission on Wednesday unveiled a new economic security strategy meant to better anticipate risks facing the EU market amid escalating threats to global trade, with China top of the list.

USA

Trump meets Central Asian leaders as US seeks critical rare earths

The White House meeting came after Trump managed to at least temporarily ease tensions between the US and China over the export of rare earth metals, a major source of contention in their trade talks.

Economy

Why is China restricting rare earth exports and will the EU respond?

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says the EU is ready to use "all tools" in response to Chinese export controls of rare earths as industry suffers.

Europe News

EU seeks to end dependency on China for rare earths

Through the RESourceEU plan, the European Union seeks to end its reliance on China for its critical raw materials, which are essential for Europe's automotive, defence, Greentech and digital sectors.

Economy

Tensions high as China and EU prepare another meeting on rare earths

Maros Šefčovič's meeting with his Chinese counterpart is cancelled. Instead, EU and Chinese experts will discuss China's rare earth export controls in Brussels.

Europe News

EU countries mull response to China's squeeze on rare earths

China's restrictions on rare earths are expected to be raised during a meeting of EU leaders as capitals mull how to respond.

Economy

EU Commission calls for no escalation with China over rare earths

In a tense context for European companies, European Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič held a phone call on Tuesday with his Chinese counterpart Commerce Minister Wang Wentao over rare earth export restrictions.

Business

US and Australia sign critical minerals deal as a way to counter China

Beijing recently said it would tighten rare earth exports, prompting the US to impose further tariffs on Chinese goods. Now, Australia and the US are looking to counter China's dominance of the critical minerals market.

Economy

EU trade chief Šefčovič slams China’s rare earth export curbs

EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič took aim at China and its new trade policy on rare earths on Tuesday, denouncing "unprocessable" Chinese requests on EU companies.

Europe News

Defence industry warns EU to ‘urgently’ curb dependence on rare earths

Industry representatives and analysts say the restrictions highlight the EU’s urgent need to cut its dependence on Chinese critical materials, even as Brussels pushes to diversify supplies and boost domestic production through the Critical Raw Materials Act.

A group of 17 elements including 15 silvery-white metals