The European Commissioner for Industry, Thierry Breton, has called on EU member states to establish joint reserves of rare earth metals, aiming to protect supply chains from disruptions and reduce dependency on China.
In statements to the German newspaper Handelsblatt on Monday, Breton said that the European Union already holds strategic reserves of oil and gas, and the same approach should be applied to critical raw materials, such as metals used in clean energy technologies, defense industries, and space sectors.
He added that the EU will launch additional tenders this year to fund alternative projects aimed at securing new sources of critical minerals outside of China, as part of efforts to reduce reliance on unreliable suppliers.
Breton warned that Europe must use the same tools employed by its competitors, referring to the need for a tougher stance in defending trade interests. He emphasized that the EU has the means to respond should a trade war with China erupt.
This move comes after China imposed restrictions in April on the export of rare earth metals, requiring new export licenses. This prompted European companies—particularly in the automotive and technology sectors—to act swiftly to secure alternatives and avoid production line disruptions
