欧洲工业命脉被中国捏在手中，这不是恐吓，而是稀土管制下的现实

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the critical dependency of Europe on China's rare earth resources, exacerbated by recent export controls imposed by China, which have led to significant disruptions in European manufacturing, particularly in electric vehicles and defense industries [1][3][4]. Group 1: Impact of China's Export Controls - China's export controls on seven categories of rare earth elements have caused European electric vehicle production to slow down and military companies to face severe inventory shortages [1][3]. - The crisis, referred to as "rare earth earthquake" by Western media, reveals Europe's vulnerability, with a 90% reliance on China for rare earth processing and a 99% dependency for heavy rare earths [1][3]. Group 2: Historical Context and Environmental Concerns - Over the past thirty years, Europe has benefited from low-cost production by relying on Chinese rare earth supplies, despite the significant environmental costs incurred in China [3]. - The environmental degradation caused by rare earth mining in China has not been acknowledged by European automakers, who have prioritized cost over ecological impact [3]. Group 3: European Response and Challenges - The European Union's attempts to impose regulations and pressure China through the WTO have been met with counterarguments from China regarding historical grievances related to technology bans [5][6]. - European efforts to establish local rare earth processing capabilities face significant challenges, including high costs and environmental regulations, with only 800 tons of processing capacity expected by 2026, far below the annual demand [4][5]. Group 4: Shift in Global Power Dynamics - The article suggests that the ongoing rare earth conflict is not merely about resource competition but also about the redistribution of technological dominance, with China moving towards setting industry standards [5][6]. - As Europe grapples with its dependency on Chinese rare earths, it faces a critical decision: to continue its historical approach or adapt to a new multipolar reality [6][8].