EU Unveils Plan to Reduce Dependency on China for Minerals

The EU plans to release $3.5 billion next year to fund projects that reduce dependency and use existing and new measures to boost the bloc’s economic security.

Slovak diplomat Maros Sefcovic participates in a panel discussion at the 61st Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on Feb. 15, 2025. Johannes Simon/Getty Images

The European Union on Dec. 3 outlined plans to reduce economic security risks, such as dependency on rare earth metals and battery materials from China.

The 27-country bloc’s executive branch, the European Commission, said it will take a “more proactive” approach in strengthening the EU’s economic security by maximizing the use of existing trade measures and creating new tools.