Berlin: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed on Thursday Beijing’s willingness to supply Germany and Europe with rare earth minerals, stressing that this issue is not and will not be a source of tension. This was confirmed by Yi during a joint press conference held in Berlin alongside his German counterpart, Johann Weidephol, as part of his official visit to Europe, including stops in Brussels and Paris.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the Chinese minister stated that the issue of rare earths “has not been, is not currently, and will not be in the future a problem between China and Europe or between China and Germany,” while emphasizing Beijing’s preparedness to meet the needs of Germany and Europe for these essential materials.
German Minister Weidephol criticized China’s policies regarding mineral exports, saying that the conditions imposed by China “negatively affected its reputation in Germany as a reliable trading partner.” He added that independent solutions are not sufficient, noting that the
German government is seeking inclusive solutions to the rare earths shortage crisis, which affects the industrial, automotive, and machinery sectors.
European markets have recently faced increasing pressure due to the shortage of these rare metals, which are critical in many industries, prompting European governments and companies to demand guarantees to secure supply chains.