Photo by Mathieu Stern on Unsplash
The S&D Group in the EU parliament, one of the two biggest groups in the assembly, has urged China to lift what it calls its unjustified export restrictions on rare earth elements.
These critical raw materials, it says, are essential for the green and digital transitions.
In the light of the recent EU-China summit, the S&Ds said it now called on the Commission and member states to adopt a coherent response, engage with China for a structural solution, and press for the immediate and full lifting of these harmful export restrictions.
Comment on the matter comes from Kathleen Van Brempt, S&D vice-president for International Trade and negotiator on this file.
The MEP told this site that China’s export restrictions on critical raw materials had “severely disrupted key global supply chains, from automakers and semiconductor producers to green technologies and healthcare sectors.”
She added, “The Chinese authorities shouldn’t keep the door to critical raw materials half-open and half-closed depending on political convenience. These materials are essential for the global green transition, they’re not bargaining chips. By restricting them, China irresponsibly weaponises its near-monopoly in the market.”
“It is crucial that the Commission puts maximum effort into reaching a negotiated, long-term solution.
“We need a level playing field. And we need to build more partners, not rivals. China is a global power, and geopolitical dynamics are clearly shifting. Let us continue the dialogue and work together on shared challenges.”
She went on to say, “Partnership is based on trust. Competition is normal; coercion is not. Europe extends its hand for cooperation with China, but we must also firmly defend our economic interests.
“That means addressing industrial overcapacity, forced technology transfers and unfair subsidies, while reducing our strategic dependence on China for critical inputs.”
Meanwhile, the parliament’s biggest group, the EPP Group, says it firmly rejects any approach that undermines global trade rules or threatens Europe’s key industries.
This comes in the light of the most recent announcements by US President Trump on tariffs.
The Group is now urging the European Commission to stand firm and defend the integrity of the rules-based trading system.
Comment on the issue comes from Jörgen Warborn MEP, EPP Group Spokesman on International Trade.
Warborn described the situation as worrying adding that no one benefits from high tariffs.
“It’s important to keep a cool head and act in a united manner. Regardless of how we proceed, this is yet another sign of the uncertainty European companies face in the American market. Ratifying the trade agreements with Mercosur and Mexico, while accelerating negotiations with other partners, has become even more urgent,” the MEP went on.
Further comment came from Željana Zovko, who is Vice-Chair of the EPP Group and the Group’s negotiator for EU–US trade in the Parliament’s Trade Committee.
The MEP said: “Protecting our key sectors is not optional – it is essential if we want the EU to remain a credible and respected player on the global stage.
“The proposed 30% US tariffs are unjustified and risk harming both sides of the Atlantic. European businesses deserve clarity, predictability, and open markets, but also firm protection against unfair practices. It is crucial to act preventively and continue strong dialogue and engagement. We must also stand united in defending multilateralism and the rules-based international order, which are the foundation of fair and sustainable global trade.”
The EPP Group said it stresses that the transatlantic partnership must be based on fairness and respect for rules, not on unilateral pressure.
A statement said, “A strong and competitive Europe depends on a clear, enforceable trade framework.”
