A Unity European established a “special channel” of communication with the Chinese authorities to ensure the flow of vital rare earth materials to EU industries, EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said on Wednesday (5).
The move follows China’s adoption of export controls on rare earths, the production of electric vehicles, wind turbines and other technologies that rely on permanent magnets.
Subsequently, of supply, while the European Union, the US and other countries are also racing to create alternatives to China’s rare earth supply chain.
Sefcovic said he had discussed the issue directly with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao several times, stressing that poorly managed export procedures could have a “very negative impact on production and manufacturing in the EU.”
Sefcovic spoke in Kuwait, where he participated in the 2025 GCC-EU Business Forum, in response to a question from Reuters.
Brussels and Beijing have agreed to prioritize applications from European companies, and through the new channel, authorities on both sides are working together to analyze and expedite them, he said.
According to Sefcovic, European companies have submitted around 2,000 requests to Chinese authorities since the controls came into force, with just over half having already been approved.
He said Brussels continues to pressure Beijing to process the remaining cases faster, while also working to diversify supplies through the development of new sources in Europe, including the production of rare earths and magnets in Estonia.
