China: Rare Earths Should Be ‘Bond’ Between Europe and China

Rare earths should serve as a “bond” to link the European Union and China instead of a “stumbling block” between them, the Global Times, a mouthpiece for the Chinese Communist Party, wrote Monday.

Dominating the rare earth market: The EU depends on China for more than 98 percent of its rare earth imports such as dysprosium, erbium, terbium and yttrium. These minerals are key to produce many electronic devices and advanced weaponry.

Some EU leaders are wary of depending on China for these vital materials because it gives the Chinese Communist Party leverage over European industry. But China’s Global Times is urging Europe to let rare earths “become a ‘bond’ that brings the two sides closer.”

Deepening trade relationship: China and the EU’s economic and trade cooperation is strengthening, particularly as both sides view the United States as increasingly unpredictable.

• The Associated Press estimates their average trade is worth $2.7 billion per day.
• China is the EU’s leading supplier of imported goods, accounting for 21 percent of all EU imports.
• From 2014 to 2024, China’s contribution to total EU trade increased to 15 percent.
• EU imports from China more than doubled within the decade, surging by 101.9 percent.
• EU exports to China had a more moderate increase of 47 percent in the same time.

Mart of nations: The Bible prophesies of an end-time trade alliance between China and the EU called the “mart of nations.” Though short-lived, this powerful economic partnership will leave America and Britain out in the cold.

Learn more: Read our Trends article “Why the Trumpet Watches the Rise of China as a Superpower.”