中方发火，几乎切断欧盟稀土供应，日本表态：不同意美国遏华要求

Core Insights - The tightening of rare earth supply in the EU has led to production warnings from several high-tech companies, indicating a significant impact on the industry [1][2][5] - The EU's heavy reliance on rare earths, particularly from China, poses a critical challenge to its industrial competitiveness [2][5][19] - The geopolitical landscape is shifting, with the US pushing for sanctions against China while facing resistance from allies like Japan [7][11][21] Group 1: Rare Earth Supply and Industry Impact - The rare earth supply bottleneck is described as the "Achilles' heel" of the EU's industrial chain, causing some companies to delay investment plans and consider layoffs [2] - The EU's high-tech industry has a 98% dependency on rare earths, with China accounting for over 70% of global rare earth exports [5][19] - The EU has experienced a nearly 60% decline in rare earth imports from countries like Germany, France, and Spain compared to the previous year [4] Group 2: Geopolitical Tensions and Responses - The US has proposed imposing 100% tariffs on China and India under the pretext of purchasing Russian oil, which has raised concerns among EU member states about potential damage to their own industries [4][7] - Japan has publicly rejected the US's push for a coordinated response against China, citing the economic costs of such a confrontation [11][13] - The EU is caught between the US and China, needing to navigate its foreign policy carefully to avoid economic disruptions [7][11] Group 3: Strategic Alternatives and Future Outlook - The EU is exploring alternative sources for rare earths, including Greenland, Australia, and Canada, but these options are unlikely to fill the supply gap in the short term [9][19] - The establishment of the "Japan-EU Competitiveness Alliance" aims to enhance cooperation in critical areas like semiconductors and renewable energy [13][17] - The ongoing geopolitical tensions and supply chain challenges indicate that the global supply chain is entering a period of significant restructuring, with uncertain outcomes [21]