开门！自由贸易！欧盟：偏不偏不，我们要原材料独立自主！

Core Points - The European Commission announced an emergency fund of €3 billion to support domestic mining, processing, and recycling of critical raw materials, marking a significant shift in Europe's approach to resource independence [1][3] - The funding is part of the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), which mandates that by 2030, at least 10% of strategic raw materials consumed in the EU must be sourced domestically, 40% processed locally, and 25% recycled [1][3] - The Act also sets a limit on dependency on any single third-party country to no more than 65%, highlighting concerns over reliance on specific nations, particularly China [1][3] Historical Context - Europe's strategic error in relinquishing raw material autonomy has roots in the globalization trends of the past few decades, where the focus shifted to high-value sectors while outsourcing resource-intensive processes [3][5] - The belief in "comparative advantage" led to a systematic decline in domestic mining and processing capabilities, as seen in the case of Rhône-Poulenc, which abandoned its leadership in rare earth separation technology [5][6] - The 2010 crisis, triggered by China's export restrictions on rare earths, briefly prompted a reevaluation of Europe's raw material strategy, but the subsequent return to low-cost imports from China stifled further development [6][7] Current Challenges - The EU's current efforts to regain control over raw materials face significant obstacles, including lengthy development timelines and stringent environmental regulations that complicate new mining projects [14][16] - The economic viability of domestic mining is questioned, as demonstrated by the Storkwitz deposit in Germany, which was deemed economically unfeasible despite initial optimism [16][17] - The reliance on Chinese processing capabilities remains high, with estimates indicating that up to 90% of Europe's rare earth supply chain is dependent on China, exacerbating the vulnerability of European industries [14][19] Future Outlook - The establishment of a €10 billion raw materials fund in Germany aims to attract private investment in mining and processing, but bureaucratic inefficiencies and a lack of decisive action have hindered progress [17][18] - The EU's attempts to promote recycling and urban mining face challenges due to higher costs compared to cheap imports from China, leading to a paradox where Europe exports its electronic waste to Asia [18][19] - The geopolitical landscape adds further complexity, as potential export restrictions from key suppliers could lead to immediate supply chain disruptions, particularly in defense sectors reliant on rare earth elements [19]