Rare earths, von der Leyen: let's work on EU plan for independence from China
A new Commission plan, RESourceEU, to unify the Union's efforts on rare earths, avoiding dependence on China, similar to what was done on vaccines at the time of Covid
The European Commission 'is working on a plan' to free EU industry from its dependence on rare earths from China, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at a conference in Berlin in the face of recent export restrictions imposed by Beijing on rare earths and battery materials.
These are essential elements for the automotive industry, precision engineering, and military equipment. "Our response must be proportionate to the risks we face in this sector," said Von der Leyen. "That is why I can announce that we are working on a new plan, modelled on the initiative that helped us to overcome the energy crisis together after Putin deprived us of Russian fossil fuels," she said, referring to the RepowerEu plan. "The aim is to ensure that European industry has access to other sources of critical raw materials in the short, medium, and long term," von der Leyen explained.
A new plan from the Commission, RESourceEU, to unify the Union's efforts on rare earths, avoiding dependence on China, similar to what was done on vaccines at the time of Covid. This is announced by Stéphane Séjourné Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, following Ursula von der Leyen's words in Berlin. The plan envisages increasing production in the EU, diversifying imports and protecting value chains. It also envisages a joint strategic purchasing and storage centre for essential raw materials, inspired by the Japanese model.
"Today we are kicking off work on a new European Commission plan: #RESourceEU. China's announcements on 9 October have highlighted a critical dependence on raw materials such as rare earths. This is unacceptable," said Stéphane Séjourné Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy of the European Commission, outlining the details of the rare earths plan announced this morning by President Ursula von der Leyen.
"The EU is mobilising all the tools at its disposal to defend its independence: increasing production in Europe, diversifying imports and protecting value chains. The world has changed. We need to act faster now. For our national security. For the future of our industry. We will also create a joint strategic purchasing and storage centre for critical raw materials, inspired by the Japanese model. What we did for health with the Covid vaccine," the Commissioner concluded, "we can do for our economic and national security with raw materials.
