Europe Looks To Reduce Dependence On China’s Critical Minerals

While the European Union and the UK are trying to shake off dependence on Russian oil and coal in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Europe is also taking steps to reduce its dependence on China for critical minerals and rare earth elements that are crucial to the energy transition. China is the dominant player on the markets for the materials used in solar panels, batteries, and magnets.

European countries have recently ramped up efforts to establish local supply chains and diversify imports away from one dominant supplier, especially…