On Jan. 27, 2025, the M23 rebel movement announced the capture of Goma, the regional capital of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. One year on, the economic and humanitarian situation in the region has further deteriorated. US President Donald Trump’s peace initiative has done little to alter this trajectory. Instead, it has increasingly centered on access to strategic raw materials.
By Constantin Leclerc
Malaysia is the world’s second-largest location for rare earth processing after China. This creates opportunities for Germany and Europe – but the United States and China are already staking out their interests.
By Leonardo Pape
The European Commission has postponed the Industrial Accelerator Act by one month. The distribution of strategic raw materials from European stocks could become a point of contention.
By Manuel Berkel
Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul's trip to Beijing brought a new willingness to talk, but still no concrete relief for German industry. While China is once again sending benevolent signals regarding rare earths, the urgently needed export licenses for German companies have not been granted for the time being.
By Amelie Richter
The EU Commission is planning restrictions on the export of permanent magnets to reduce the bloc’s economic dependencies. It wants to protect start-ups in high-risk sectors from hostile takeovers by third countries.
By Manuel Berkel
The EU Commission is planning restrictions on the export of permanent magnets in order to reduce economic dependencies. The Commission wants to protect start-ups in high-risk areas from hostile takeovers from third countries.
By Manuel Berkel
European companies in China are under pressure due to stricter export controls. One in three member companies are therefore already considering relocating their supply chains out of China.
By Amelie Richter
The EU is creating a joint procurement mechanism to make it easier for European companies to purchase strategic raw materials.
By Leonie Düngefeld
EIB Vice-President Nicola Beer has called on the Commission to adapt its draft for the Multiannual Financial Framework. Beer sees advantages for Europe in the global race for critical raw materials.
By Manuel Berkel and János Allenbach-Ammann
While the US government assumes that US companies are exempt from all Chinese export controls on rare earths, the EU Commission only confirms the withdrawal of some Chinese export controls for EU companies.
By János Allenbach-Ammann
