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欧盟向特朗普低头,转头却向中国下命令:必须无条件全力供应稀土
Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-07-15 13:16

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the contrasting attitudes of the European Union (EU) towards the United States and China regarding trade policies, particularly in the context of tariffs and rare earth elements, highlighting the EU's strategic shortcomings and dependency on external powers [4][5][9]. Group 1: EU's Response to US Tariff Policies - The EU has chosen to compromise in response to Trump's proposed tariffs, which could impose punitive tariffs of up to 30% on EU goods, affecting exports worth €502 billion in 2023 [5]. - The EU's rapid concession included withdrawing the digital tax on US tech giants and engaging in multiple negotiations, reflecting its reliance on US energy and military support, especially after the energy crisis triggered by the Russia-Ukraine conflict [5][10]. - By 2024, over 40% of the EU's total gas imports are expected to come from the US, indicating a critical dependency that could lead to severe consequences if the US were to cut off supplies [5]. Group 2: EU's Attitude Towards China's Rare Earth Exports - The EU exhibits a contradictory stance towards China, demanding "unconditional" supply of rare earth elements despite its own lack of production capabilities, which is a stark contrast to its submissive approach to the US [8][9]. - Rare earth elements are crucial for high-tech industries, with China controlling approximately 61% of global mining and 92% of refining, making the EU's supply chain vulnerable [7][10]. - The EU's strong reaction to China's export controls on rare earths, including a resolution condemning these actions, reflects a misjudgment of its own international standing and a failure to recognize China's dominant position in this sector [9][12]. Group 3: Strategic Implications for the EU - The EU's approach of demanding compliance from China while yielding to US pressures reveals a strategic inconsistency that could jeopardize its industrial sectors, including automotive, energy, and defense [10][12]. - The EU's attempts to collaborate with Australia and Canada for rare earth resources face significant challenges due to technological, financial, and environmental constraints, making it difficult to establish a viable alternative supply chain in the short term [10]. - The article emphasizes that the EU must adopt a more cooperative and equal stance in international negotiations to avoid further marginalization in global supply chains and to secure its interests in the face of rising geopolitical tensions [12].