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Foreign ministers

EU Foreign Policy Chief Urges China to End Rare Earth Elements Restrictions

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

European Union's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has called on China to end restrictions on the export of rare earth elements, citing significant risks to European companies and the reliability of global supply chains. This warning comes as EU-China relations are strained due to China's alleged unfair trade practices and the bloc's concerns over the flow of vital tech to Russia's military through China. Kallas also emphasized the need for China to stop supporting Russia's war in Ukraine, which poses a serious threat to European security. The EU is seeking to improve its relations with China amid the US-China tariff war, but the trade spat has only deepened between Brussels and Beijing. A summit between EU and Chinese leaders is scheduled for July 24 and 25.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kaja Kallas urged China to end restrictions on the export of rare earth elements, citing significant risks to European companies and the reliability of global supply chains.
  • The EU is concerned about China's alleged unfair trade practices and the flow of vital tech to Russia's military through China.
  • Kallas emphasized the need for China to stop supporting Russia's war in Ukraine, which poses a serious threat to European security.
  • The EU is seeking to improve relations with China amid the US-China tariff war.
  • A summit between EU and Chinese leaders is scheduled for July 24 and 25.
  • European officials say Chinese companies provide many of the vital components for Russian drones and other weapons used in Ukraine.
  • Kallas called on China to immediately cease all material support that sustains Russia's military industrial complex.

Statistics:

  • 27-nation bloc (EU)
  • 2 summits scheduled (EU-China summit on July 24 and 25)
  • 1 nuclear deal (2015 deal between EU, UK, France, Germany, and Iran)
  • 1 abandon date (2018, by the US from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran)

Sources:

  • https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2025/7/2/russian-strikes-hit-ukraine-after-us-announces-weapon-shipment-cuts
  • https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/china-high-representativevice-president-kaja-kallas-holds-eu-china-strategic-dialogue-foreign_en
  • https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/4/china-and-russia-highlight-tectonic-shifts-in-global-politics
  • https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/2/iran-president-signs-law-suspending-cooperation-with-iaea

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