The EU-China summit will lack deliverables. Xi may not attend. So why even go?
As Brussels rushes to solve a myriad of geopolitical issues, its ties to the Middle Kingdom are taking a sour turn.
rare earths
The EU is increasingly trading with dictators, ECB warns
China’s rise and democratic backsliding in other countries are making a mockery of Europe’s efforts to spread its values through trade.
Beijing and Washington lift export restrictions on key products
Beijing and Washington are following through on an agreement struck last month in London to lift restrictions on exports of items essential for industrial production, as both sides look to cool a global trade war. “The Chinese side is examining and approving applications for export licenses for eligible controlled items in accordance with the law. The U.S. […]
European companies look to France for domestic rare earths sector
China’s trade restrictions cut exports of rare earth magnets by 51% in a month, Wood Mackenzie says
Macron’s summit curveball
In today’s edition of The Capitals, read about what happened at the EU summit, how rare earths could make or break the EU’s defence ambitions, and how a motion of no confidence in Ursula von der Leyen is losing steam.
How rare earths could make or break the EU’s defence ambitions
With the ongoing war in Ukraine and escalating conflicts around the world, critical minerals are reshaping security priorities and supply chains.
China’s got the world in a rare earth choke hold
Beijing’s dominance in strategically crucial minerals gives it major leverage in trade talks.
Trump’s latest trade ‘deal’ with China underscores key U.S. disadvantage
After two days of talks in London, China and the U.S. announced the outlines of an agreement to honor a deal they agreed to last month in Geneva.
Trump touts trade ‘deal’ with China
The agreement puts trade talks back on track and implements an accord reached in Geneva last month.
Beijing proposes easing exports of rare earths to EU
European officials and businesses’ have repeatedly criticised China’s export restrictions, which they argue have severely harmed Europe’s long-suffering industries.
EU businesses lobby China for rare earths ‘fast-track’ channel
Beijing’s strict controls on critical minerals threaten supply chains worldwide
From lithium to rare earths: Europe’s strategy to power its future energy
Europe is investing in local mining to reduce its reliance on imports and power its green and digital transformation. I went to the Czech Republic, to one of the EU’s 47 strategic projects, aimed at boosting raw materials to reduce import dependence.
If the US wants more rare earths, it needs to tackle refining
China has an unmatched dominance in the processing of critical commodities
Trump pushes for 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, threatens more sanctions
“It can all be done very quickly,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Africa’s message to the world: Do you want to be part of the next economic miracle?
Cuts to international aid are a wake-up call that the continent’s nations need to find a way to bolster their own development. And for that, Africa needs investment.
US and Ukraine sign minerals deal that solidifies investment in Kyiv’s defense against Russia
Move seals a deal to create a fund the Trump administration says will begin to repay roughly $175bn provided to UkraineThe US and Kyiv have signed an agreement to share profits and royalties from the future sale of Ukrainian minerals and rare earths, s…
Ukraine, US sign minerals deal, marking shift from military to economic support
The US and Ukraine signed a minerals agreement Wednesday, marking a renewed commitment to Kyiv post-military aid, the Trump administration said. Ukraine secured key terms after lengthy talks, including full sovereignty over its rare earths, critical f…
Ukraine and US ink memorandum on rare earths
This is a precursor to a full minerals deal and clarifies U.S. support for a “free, sovereign, and secure Ukraine.”
Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy hails ‘good progress’ on minerals deal talks
Ukrainian president says legalities almost finalised and officials signal US concessions in talks that are progressing ‘quite fast’; deadly Shahed strike on Dnipro. What we know on day 1,149Minerals deal negotiators have made “good progress”, the Ukrai…
How Kyiv’s effort to lure Trump with rare earths backfired
Ukraine potentially has large deposits of crucial minerals, but it will take peace and billions of dollars to unlock them.
Unlike others ‘we’re reliable’, EU tells Central Asia, as it seeks greater access to rare earths
Russia and China loomed large over the first EU-Central Asia summit as both sides aimed to boost trade and diplomatic ties.
Trump promises ‘big, big problems’ if Zelenskyy backs out of minerals deal
U.S. president accuses Kyiv of wanting to renegotiate the proposed agreement on Ukraine’s “rare earths.”
Greenland to Trump: No, we didn’t invite you
Greenland did not invite an American delegation to come visit this week, the self-ruling island’s government said Monday, flatly denying a claim made by President Donald Trump. Usha Vance, the wife of Vice President JD Vance, will land in the Danish territory on Thursday, alongside National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. […]
Greenlanders say no to Trump as rare earths loom over coalition talks
Election throws up surprise result as independence from Denmark remains tough to define.
Greenland heads to the polls amid Trump’s threats to take over
Tuesday’s election is set to be one of the most consequential in the island’s history.
Trump says ‘we’re doing very well with Russia,’ hours after threatening sanctions for bombing Ukraine
In a post on Truth Social, Trump put pressure on the country that so far has faced little public pushback from his administration.
What critical materials and minerals does Ukraine have and why is Trump eyeing them?
Ukraine holds significant reserves of the critical raw materials and rare earths needed to develop cutting-edge technology.
After week of criticism, Trump plays nice — for now — with Zelenskyy
His comments praising his relationship with the Ukranian president come one day before the wartime leader is set to visit the White House
Ukraine’s resources mostly hard to access or needed at home
A large part of the country’s resources has fallen under Russian occupation.
The US-Ukraine mineral deal: A look at rare earths, their use and purposes
As Washington and Kyiv seek to finalise a deal on exploiting Ukraine’s mineral resources, FRANCE 24 takes a look at rare earth metals and why they are important. Used in a wide range of electronics, including aircraft and military applications like mi…
Ukraine and US agree to minerals deal, reports say
The agreement could be signed by Kyiv and Washington as early as Friday, according to one report.
Macron in Washington to reposition Europe at heart of Ukraine peace talks
Trump made it clear throughout the day that his goodwill was contingent on securing an agreement with Ukraine regarding critical minerals and rare earths.
EU offers its own ‘win-win’ minerals deal to Ukraine
“The added value Europe offers is that we will never demand a deal that’s not mutually beneficial,” top official Stéphane Séjourné says.
Zelenskyy refuses to sign Trump’s rare earths deal — but official says pact is close
“Nearly all key details finalized,” says Ukrainian deputy PM about the controversial minerals agreement.
Macron meets Trump, Europeans head to Kyiv in two-pronged effort to save Ukraine
European leaders hope to reverse Trump’s retreat from Europe and Ukraine’s dire prospects.
Second US-Russia meeting in next 2 weeks, Russian media reports
“A dialogue on strategic stability and arms control is possible” at the expected meeting, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying by RIA news agency.
Trump slams Macron, Starmer for failing to help Ukraine
The French and British leaders “haven’t done anything” to end the war in Ukraine, U.S. president says in Fox News interview.
Trump Ukraine envoy calls Zelenskyy ‘courageous,’ breaking from recent administration criticism
Keith Kellogg called the Ukrainian president an “embattled and courageous leader” in a Friday post on X.
The Ukrainian mineral riches in Trump’s sights
Vast estimated deposits of lithium, titanium and rare earths such as gallium have yet to be significantly developed
Trump asks Zelenskyy for half of Ukraine’s rare earths: NBC News
U.S. officials told NBC that handing over half of its valuable minerals would be a way for Kyiv to reimburse the U.S. for the billions of dollars in weapons and support.
Starlink looks pale in comparison with what Europeans can get
SNEAK PEEK — Has Elon Musk’s Starlink got a shot in Europe? Not really. — The withdrawal of the EU’s AI liability rules has fans and critics. — There’s a new report about the price tag of the Eurostack. Good morning and welcome to Morning Tech. Hi, this is Pieter, back in Brussels after frantic days […]
Trump demands $500B in rare earths from Ukraine for continued support
“We have to get something. We can’t continue to pay this money,” U.S. president says.
Riding out the Trump tiger until he’s exhausted
How should one handle the 47th U.S. president? Kiss the ring, resist, offer deals and wait for exhaustion to set in.
Trump team to visit Ukraine this week, Zelenskyy says
A “serious” American delegation will visit Ukraine, the Ukrainian president said.
Scholz slams Trump’s ‘self-centered’ bid to link Ukraine aid to rare earths access
Kyiv isn’t totally against the U.S. president’s idea — but the German chancellor isn’t impressed.
Ukraine war briefing: Trump demands rare earths from Kyiv in exchange for aid
US reportedly briefly paused weapon shipments into Ukraine; Russian forces continue to gain ground as Ukraine struggles with manpower. What we know on day 1,077 Continue reading…
Trump wants Ukrainian rare earths deal in return for US military support
US proposal appears to align with President Zelenskyy’s strategy to keep Washington onside
EU ‘competitiveness compass’ charts less regulated economic future
The EU will on Wednesday publish an economic blueprint that aims to cut regulations around supply chain standards and corporate sustainability as well as reducing the bloc’s reliance on China for rare earths and raw materials.
Grabbing Greenland would be a bad deal for Trump
Donald Trump might be eyeing Greenland’s strategic position in the Arctic and its mineral reserves, but he’s forgetting the U.S. is already getting all it wants from the island.
Rare earths: another reason we mustn’t allow Russia to win in Ukraine | Letters
Dictators in Russia and China should be denied further control of raw materials used in electronics, writes John E Havard. Plus a letter from Fawzi IbrahimA footnote to the excellent article by Timothy Garton Ash (What if Russia wins in Ukraine? We can…
EU must invest quickly in Kazakhstan’s rare earths production, for green energy transition and global competition [Advocacy Lab Content]
Kazakhstan’s newly discovered lithium deposits ($15.7 billion), and nickel, gold, and rare earth metals reserves ($46 trillion) are attracting global attention. Europe must act now or lose ground to China and the United States.
We don’t want your EVs, Brazil tells EU as trade talks hit crunch time
Attempt to fend off influx of Chinese electric vehicles puts chances of EU-Mercosur trade accord at the November G20 summit in doubt.
Precious rare earth metals belong to the state, China declares
Beijing’s hold on the coveted resources has long been seen as a threat to Western clean power and tech supply chains.
EU pulls its gun on China
The EU is accelerating its crackdown on what it sees as Beijing’s unfair support for companies that undermine European rivals.
Norway’s parliament gives green light for controversial deep-sea mining
Norwegian lawmakers gave the go-ahead for deep-sea mining exploration around the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard on Tuesday (9 January), a world first that has raised concerns among environmental groups.
Western miners seek premium pricing for rare earth metals to break China grip
A handful of Canadian, German and Australian critical mineral explorers plan to command premium prices for key metals used in electric vehicles, promising quality and consistency in exchange for shifting reliance away from China, the dominant producer …
EU readies new recycling goals for permanent magnets in white goods, wind turbines
The EU is moving forward with new legislation to boost the recycling of rare earths contained in permanent magnets, used in everything from wind turbines to electric vehicles as well as home appliances like washing machines and microwave ovens.
Emmanuel Macron vows to boost French cooperation with Kazakhstan
French president compliments leader for refusing to side with Moscow over UkraineThe French president Emmanuel Macron has vowed to boost cooperation with Kazakhstan at a time of “multiple crises in the world” as he began a trip to Central Asia, a regio…
Action on critical minerals is needed now
As tensions with China grow, Western countries need to do more to finance and build alternative supply chains for critical minerals.
Big critical raw materials meeting has no space for indigenous groups
Indigenous leaders say they should be taking part in the International Energy Agency’s summit on critical raw materials and the energy transition.
Can Europe go green without China’s critical minerals?
The EU’s increasing demand for rare earths is causing problems for policymakers
US and Vietnam ink historic partnership in Biden visit, with eyes on China
US President Joe Biden on Sunday (10 September) secured deals with Vietnam on semiconductors and minerals as the strategic Southeast Asian nation lifted Washington to Hanoi’s highest diplomatic status alongside China and Russia.
Deep-sea mining can yield many riches. The EU is against but its neighbours are keen
In parts of the ocean so deep that light cannot penetrate, billions of fist-sized rocks called polymetallic nodules containing copper, nickel, iron, manganese, cobalt and rare earths lace the seabed.
Mongolia to deepen cooperation with US on rare earths
Mongolia will deepen cooperation with Washington to mine rare earths, the country’s Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene said on a visit to Washington on Wednesday (2 August).