An autonomous and effective EU trade and competition toolbox can help safeguard EU businesses from unfair trade practices of third countries, such as dumping, illegal subsidisation and export restrictions, reducing overcapacity and distortive practices.
Growing protectionist tendencies, such as unjustified tariffs, sanctions and restrictions, are hindering the EU’s strategic autonomy objectives on critical raw materials.
China’s unjustified export restrictions on some non-ferrous metals, such as manganese, gallium, germanium, graphite, antimony, and rare earth elements, directly affect different segments of the EU metals industry supply chain.
In addition, some non-ferrous metals scrap leakage is putting at risk the EU’s green and circular economy objectives.
To protect the EU industrial base and secure a stable raw materials supply chain, the EU should:
