EU and U.S. Launch Critical Minerals Partnership to Strengthen Supply Chains and Reduce China Dependence
In April 2026, the European Union and the United States initiated a critical minerals partnership through a memorandum of understanding and an Action Plan. This strategic framework aims to reduce reliance on concentrated supply chains, particularly those linked to China, and to coordinate policy across the entire minerals value chain. The agreement is not merely a trade gesture but a comprehensive approach linking industrial policy, supply-chain resilience, clean-energy manufacturing, and defense preparedness. The partnership covers the full supply chain, including exploration, extraction, processing, recycling, and substitution, with a focus on securing supply for strategic sectors such as batteries, electric vehicles, semiconductors, clean-energy systems, and defense technologies. 
