China and the European Union(EU)will hold talks in Brussels on Thursday regarding the issue of rare earths.The meeting comes against a backdrop of growing rhetoric in Europe concerning China's rare-earth export policies.There are voices within Europe hyping up the so-called"rare-earth supply crisis,"with some even claiming that China and Europe are"on the brink of hybrid warfare,"urging Europe to"take the initiative."European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also recently referred to the anti-coercion instrument,which is considered the EU's"most powerful trade weapon."But does a"rare-earth crisis"between China and Europe really exist?
China is the world's largest producer and exporter of rare earths,a natural outcome of resource allocation in economic globalization.China-EU cooperation in rare earths also reflects the high degree of economic complementarity between the two sides.China's long-term exports of rare earths to the EU have provided substantial support for the EU's digital and green transition goals,enhancing its economic competitiveness and security.The EU has been benefiting from China's rare-earth industry.
China's recent export control measures are part of the ongoing transformation and upgrading of its rare-earth sector.They are not a temporary move,but a necessary step to ensure the long-term stability of the rare-earth production and supply chain and,what's more,an alignment with global green development trends.At the same time,in the context of turmoil and frequent military conflicts in the world,China's implementation of export controls on dual-use items like rare earths represents its proactive fulfillment of international non-proliferation obligations and its commitment to defending world peace and stability.13 countries around the world,including several in Europe,have implemented similar export controls.Why,then,is it labeled a"threat"only when China does so?Those who fear that China might"weaponize national security"to choke Europe's supply should first reflect on whether they harbor such thoughts toward other countries.
The Chinese side formulated relevant regulations with full consideration of the concerns of all trading partners,a process that was highly responsible.The relevant measures are prudent and moderate.According to the Ministry of Commerce of China,before the measures were announced,China had already notified relevant countries and regions through bilateral export control dialogue mechanisms.In addition to that,China specifically established a"green channel"for European firms and held multiple rounds of consultations and dialogues with the EU at various levels.Facts have proven that China keeps its words:In the first half of 2025,more than 60 percent of EU companies obtained export licenses through this channel.Recently,several enterprises in Bavaria,Germany,have also successfully received approvals to import rare-earth materials.Rare-earth exports have never been,and should never become,a problem between China and Europe.
The so-called"rare-earth anxiety"among some in Europe is essentially a cognitive issue.In their eyes,in any field,the more one engages with China and the closer the ties,the more it is seen as"dependence"and a"risk."The real problem between China and Europe does not lie in rare earths,but in whether Europe can break free from geopolitical manipulation,correct its cognitive bias toward China,and return to a rational and pragmatic policy track.Lately,some US media outlets have been hyping up the so-called"China rare-earth threat,"and certain Europeans have followed suit.This is not only a serious act of self-deprecation but also a typical case of strategic confusion.
Now,as a few European politicians compete to sound tough on China,this resembles more of a form of political performance.Do European businesses really want to see the"anti-coercion instrument"put into use?If the EU truly wields this"weapon,"China will resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.The true demand from Europe likely lies in reaching a technical solution with China regarding rare earth issues to jointly maintain the stability of the production and supply chain.Some in Europe threaten to use"economic and trade weapons"and even advocate for a"united response from Western allies."This not only goes against European interests but also raises doubts about their actual intentions-are they trying to take the opportunity to strengthen the narrative of"dependency risks"to pave the way for advancing unpopular agendas of economic factionalization,geopoliticization,and overstretching the concept of security?
It should be noted that the European side's slow and cumbersome approval process for high-tech export controls on products such as chips and lithography machines has severely impacted the stability of the China-Europe production and supply chain.If Europe is genuinely committed to maintaining this stability,it should focus more on these issues.An editorial in the Global Times published in July this year pointed out that rare earths should be a"bond,"not a"stumbling block,"in China-EU relations.How to establish a legally feasible and reciprocal institutional arrangement under the framework of export controls is a question worth exploring for both China and the EU.Such an approach would not only help stabilize China-EU industrial and supply chains,but also send a positive signal to the international community.
Simply hyping up the idea of"reducing dependence on China"not only casts a shadow over practical cooperation between China and Europe but also does little to help Europe resolve its own"competitiveness crisis."
