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仅能维持四到六周,欧洲向中国求救
Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-06-01 03:13

Core Viewpoint - The European Union (EU) has shifted from a strong stance on reducing dependence on Chinese rare earths to expressing concerns over slow exports from China, highlighting the critical role of rare earths in various industries, particularly the automotive sector [1][3][9]. Group 1: EU's Strategic Shift - In March, the EU Commission announced a plan to enhance production capabilities for 14 out of 17 critical raw materials to reduce reliance on China [1]. - Within two months, the EU began to complain about the slow pace of rare earth exports from China, abandoning previous rhetoric about "de-risking" and "reducing dependence" [3]. Group 2: Impact on Industries - European manufacturers are facing potential shutdowns due to rare earth shortages, with some reporting that they may run out of inventory in four to six weeks [5]. - The price of rare earths has surged by 40% to 50% compared to a few months ago, significantly impacting production costs [5]. - The automotive industry is particularly at risk, with experts warning that the shortage could threaten the adoption of electric vehicles in Europe [5][9]. Group 3: China's Dominance in Rare Earths - China controls 87% of global rare earth processing capacity and 91% of refining capacity, making Western manufacturers heavily reliant on Chinese supplies [7][9]. - The recent export restrictions from China are seen as a direct response to escalating trade tensions with the U.S., further complicating the supply situation for European industries [9]. Group 4: EU's Efforts and Challenges - The EU has initiated efforts to reduce dependence on Chinese rare earths by exploring domestic sources and collaborating with countries like Australia [13]. - However, establishing new supply chains is costly and time-consuming, with experts estimating it could take over a decade to develop sufficient alternatives [13].