The Geopolitics of Earth's Raw Materials
THE ACTORS: Reshaping Global Supply Chains The primary actors are the European Union represented by its executive body, the European Commission, and the United States, specifically the incoming administration, which the article identifies as potentially being led by Donald Trump. China is cast as the primary competitor whose influence is to be 'curbed.' Key individuals likely involved in these
discussions include the EU Commissioner for Trade, whose portfolio directly addresses such agreements, and high-level officials within the U.S. departments of Commerce and State. The narrative positions the EU as seeking to 'shape' U.S. policy, indicating a proactive rather than reactive stance. THE FUNDING: Subsidies and Strategic Investments While the immediate proposal is a 'partnership,' the
underlying financial incentives and implications are substantial. Both the U.S. and the EU have already committed significant public funds to bolster their respective critical minerals sectors. The U.S. CHIPS and Science Act (2022) earmarked over $52 billion for semiconductor production and research, which often relies heavily on critical minerals. Similarly, the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act
(2023) sets targets for domestic extraction, processing, and recycling, backed by substantial investments from member states and the EU budget to reduce reliance on external suppliers (European Commission, 2023). This 'partnership' would likely coordinate and potentially amplify these existing national investments, with direct and indirect subsidies flowing to mining, processing, and manufacturing