The European Union is developing a proposal to partner with the United States “to curb China’s influence” in the area of critical minerals and rare earths. It seems that Japan will also be involved in these efforts.
The U.S. has been urging various EU states to make bilateral agreements “on a pricing mechanism to help insulate rare-earth mineral refiners and extractors from cheaper Chinese exports that could undercut supplies mined and refined in the West.” But the European Union would rather act as a bloc when negotiating with the U.S. about critical minerals, Bloomberg reports (February 4, 2026).
The EU is prepared to sign a memorandum of understanding with the US to develop a “Strategic Partnership Roadmap” within three months, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The partnership aims to jointly find ways to source critical minerals, which are needed for most modern technologies, without relying on China. Both the US and EU have become tethered to abundant, cheap Chinese minerals, giving Beijing leverage over their supply chains….
Both sides are aiming to conclude the negotiations within the next 30 days, according to a separate draft statement that the US and the European Commission, the EU executive arm, are expected to release on Wednesday (Feb 4) and seen by Bloomberg News.
The memorandum suggests the EU and US explore joint critical-mineral projects and price-support mechanisms. It also recommends ways to shield both markets from an oversupply of outside minerals and other forms of market manipulation.
Through the proposed collaboration with the U.S., the EU hopes that they will better secure supply chains, exempt each other from export restrictions on raw minerals, collaborate on research and innovation, and prevent disruptions related to critical minerals by stockpiling minerals (as President Trump has already announced will happen in the U.S.) and by creating an “EU-US response group.”
The disruptions everybody has in mind are those caused by the Chinese government if and when it decides to withhold shipments of critical minerals and rare earths and flex its muscle in an industry it has come to dominate. China’s threat last year to cut off the flow of minerals to the U.S. and other countries was like a big red blinking neon sign yelling DECOUPLE.
Plus Japan
That Japan is also on the team to counter China is indicated by a “Joint Press Statement” released by the U.S., Japan, and the EU on February 4, 2026. This statement promises another statement as well as action or at least plans for action.
“The United States, the European Union and Japan are now taking significant steps towards increasing their economic security and national security by jointly enhancing resilience in critical minerals supply chains. They have announced their intention to expedite cooperative efforts for a mutually beneficial Partnership, with two components,” these components being, first, a Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. and the EU to be issued within thirty days and, second, the development of Action Plans for cooperation between the U.S., the EU, and Japan.
Separately, the U.S. is working with Mexico to address weaknesses in the critical mineral supply chain, and the two countries have “unveiled a 60-day action plan focused on developing trade policies centered on critical minerals.”
