China’s Rare Earth Curbs Threaten Europe’s Defense, Economy: Experts

Beijing’s dominance in rare earth processing and magnet production leaves Europe vulnerable to supply disruptions in key industries.

A sample of bastnaesite ore, a mineral used in the rare earth industry to extract elements such as cerium, lanthanum, and neodymium, is displayed at the Geological Museum of China in Beijing, on Oct. 14, 2025. Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

China’s latest rare earth export curbs could severely disrupt Europe’s defense and economic sectors, experts warn, with calls mounting for concrete EU-U.S. cooperation to counter Beijing’s control over these critical minerals.

EU industry chief Stephane Sejourne met with affected European businesses on Oct. 20 to discuss Beijing’s rare earth restrictions, according to AFP. The virtual meeting included executives from automotive, defense, wind energy, chemicals and mining sectors.