德媒：欧洲人的忍耐已到极点，中国不卖稀土就是在逼欧盟实施制裁

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses Europe's dependency on China's rare earth resources and the challenges it faces in attempting to regain control over its supply chain, highlighting the historical context and current geopolitical dynamics [1][2][4]. Group 1: Historical Context - In the late 20th century, European leaders decided to outsource the "dirty work" of rare earth mining and processing, believing it would allow them to focus on cleaner, high-tech industries [1][2]. - This decision led to a situation where China capitalized on the discarded resources, becoming the global leader in rare earth production and technology [2][4]. Group 2: Current Challenges - Europe is now facing a crisis as it realizes its heavy reliance on China for rare earth elements, which are essential for its green energy and advanced manufacturing sectors [2][4]. - The EU has introduced a "counter-coercion tool" to address economic pressures from China, but this tool has not yet proven effective in practice [4][6]. Group 3: Internal Conflicts - The EU's internal divisions pose a significant challenge; member states have conflicting interests regarding trade with China, particularly in industries like automotive and luxury goods [6][7]. - The proposed "self-reliance" initiative to develop local mining and manufacturing capabilities faces significant hurdles, including lengthy approval processes and high environmental standards [6][7]. Group 4: Long-term Outlook - The path to self-sufficiency in rare earth production is expected to be long, costly, and fraught with difficulties, making it unlikely that Europe can quickly resolve its current dependency on Chinese imports [7][9]. - The competition is not balanced; China holds advantages in resources, technology, and market access, while Europe struggles to find effective solutions to its supply chain issues [9][11].