关键矿产争夺战加剧：欧盟计划建立战略储备以防美国“截胡”

Core Viewpoint - The European Union (EU) is planning a significant strategic initiative to establish a central agency for coordinating the procurement and strategic reserves of critical minerals to ensure the security of its industrial and defense supply chains [1]. Group 1: Strategic Initiative - The EU aims to create a central agency to manage the procurement and strategic reserves of critical minerals, responding to the increasing competition for these resources globally [1]. - Stéphane Séjourné highlighted that the EU has become collateral damage in the competition for rare earth resources, with the U.S. actively purchasing critical materials [1]. Group 2: Urgency and Action Plan - The urgency of this initiative is driven by recent supply chain disruptions, emphasizing the importance of rare earth elements for defense and clean technology [1]. - The EU Commission previously announced plans to diversify the supply of critical minerals, including lithium and copper, and Séjourné's new plan aims to translate this intention into concrete actions and institutions [1][2]. Group 3: Comparison with the U.S. - EU officials believe that Europe is lagging behind the U.S. in securing critical mineral supplies, as the U.S. has already invested in domestic miners and signed supply agreements with foreign governments [2]. - Séjourné plans to quickly establish partnerships with countries like Brazil and South Africa to secure supplies, with visits planned to these nations [2]. Group 4: Supply Chain Resilience - The EU plans to implement various measures to strengthen supply chain resilience, as companies typically maintain only a few weeks of inventory, making them vulnerable to supply disruptions [3]. - The EU Commission may propose prioritizing inventory replenishment and supply diversification, with potential legislation if corporate behavior does not change [3]. Group 5: Industry Support and Challenges - The initiative has received support from industry organizations, emphasizing the need for Europe to quickly consolidate its critical raw materials supply chain [3]. - Despite clear direction, the EU faces challenges in enhancing domestic supply due to lengthy bureaucratic approval processes and opposition to new mining projects based on environmental concerns [3]. Group 6: Long-term Goals - The plan also aims to fund innovations to develop alternatives that do not require rare earth materials, with Séjourné stating that achieving independence is best accomplished by eliminating the need for these raw materials [3].