Europe to Reduce, Not Eliminate, Reliance on China for Critical Minerals in Defense

Europe’s defence industry would gradually reduce its reliance on China during the continent’s ongoing rearmament drive, rather than decouple completely, analysts said.

“We will work together with partners to reduce critical dependencies and ensure that attempts or threats to weaponise economic dependencies fail,” the declaration said.

China is the world’s largest producer of rare earths and other critical minerals, such as gallium, accounting for more than 90 per cent of global supply.

These materials are used to make advanced military systems including radars, missile guidance components and propulsion systems.