欧盟急筑矿产防线？中国手里牌更硬

Core Insights - The European Union (EU) plans to establish a central agency to coordinate the procurement and storage of critical minerals, signaling a strategic move to compete with the United States in the global mineral market, with China playing a crucial role in this dynamic [1][4]. Group 1: EU's Internal Challenges - The EU faces internal challenges regarding its critical mineral production goals, hindered by environmental groups and lengthy approval processes, which have stalled projects [4]. - The European Clean Technology Association has expressed urgency in addressing these shortcomings to avoid falling behind in the clean technology sector [4]. Group 2: China's Dominance in Mineral Supply - The EU's mineral supply chain is heavily reliant on China, with 90% of rare earth elements and 100% of graphite imported from China, and China controlling over 70% of the global refining capacity for key minerals like lithium and cobalt [4]. - Recent data indicates that China exported 2,582 tons of rare earth magnets to the EU, highlighting the ongoing dependency despite previous production disruptions faced by EU companies [4]. Group 3: EU's Contradictory Approach - The EU's approach, characterized as "pragmatic yet contradictory," involves publicly opposing U.S. dominance while simultaneously avoiding direct confrontation with China, as evidenced by the approval of numerous rare earth import applications from China [5]. - The EU's efforts to establish a rare earth facility in Estonia and its investigation into subsidies for Chinese automobiles reflect a complex strategy of balancing competition and cooperation [5]. Group 4: Comparison with U.S. Strategy - The U.S. has adopted a more aggressive strategy, utilizing financial incentives and forming partnerships with countries like Canada and Australia to secure mineral resources, contrasting with the EU's reactive stance [5]. - The EU's acknowledgment of its slower pace in securing mineral resources compared to the U.S. has been criticized by industry stakeholders [5]. Group 5: Implications for China - The evolving situation presents both challenges and opportunities for China, as the EU may collaborate with the U.S. to secure investments in mineral-rich regions, while China maintains a significant advantage in processing capabilities [6]. - China's dominance in rare earth processing, with 58% of global patents and significantly lower refining costs compared to the U.S., positions it favorably in the ongoing competition [6]. Group 6: Strategic Outlook - The current geopolitical landscape reveals a complex interplay where the U.S. seeks to assert dominance, the EU aims to fill gaps in its supply chain, and China leverages its technological and production strengths [6]. - The establishment of the EU's central agency serves as a reminder for China to enhance its global mineral resource strategy and convert its processing advantages into a comprehensive supply chain advantage [6].