In early October, Beijing broadened the scope of materials and products requiring export licenses for importers, with a focus on rare earths and magnets, crucial for electrification processes.
Šefčovič reported that EU companies had filed about 2,000 “priority applications” with Chinese authorities, but only half received proper attention. He conveyed this issue to Wang.
“We don’t wish to escalate,” the trade commissioner stated to journalists. “Yet, this situation strains our relationship, making a swift solution imperative.”
Highlighting the gravity of the supply crisis, the European Commission announced in its 2026 work program on Tuesday that it will begin stockpiling crucial raw materials essential to sectors like defense and automotive.
Max Griera Andreu contributed to this article.
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