“欧企只按季度计划，中国却着眼二十年规划，今天看到的就是这种战略的成果”

Core Insights - China's recent export restrictions on rare earths have caught Western countries off guard, prompting European companies to reflect on their strategic planning compared to China's long-term approach [1][3][5] - China controls approximately 69% of the global rare earth mining market and about 99% of the processing market, making foreign companies increasingly dependent on Chinese supplies [1][4] - The tightening of export controls has led to significant price increases, with some products experiencing price hikes of up to 200%, raising concerns about supply stability for German industries [3][4] Group 1: Market Dynamics - Rare earths are essential for the production of high-tech products such as smartphones, wind turbines, and electric vehicles [1][4] - Despite having around 470 rare earth deposits globally, Western countries remain heavily reliant on China due to its largest reserves and production capabilities [4][5] - The German economy is particularly affected, as the tightening of Chinese export controls has made it difficult for German companies to secure rare earth imports, leading to rising prices and potential production disruptions [1][3] Group 2: Strategic Implications - European companies are recognizing the need for long-term strategic planning similar to China's, as they have historically operated on shorter quarterly planning cycles [1][3] - The opportunity to find alternative suppliers or establish independent supply chains has largely been missed, leaving European industries vulnerable [3][4] - The U.S. has also been slow to respond to its dependence on Chinese rare earths, with past awareness of risks not translating into effective policy or investment in domestic production [5][6] Group 3: International Response - In light of China's export restrictions, Western officials, including those from the G7, are considering coordinated measures to address the impact on global supply chains [5][6] - China's government has stated that its export control measures are in line with international norms and aimed at maintaining global supply chain stability [6]