EU Targets Vietnam for Critical Minerals to Reduce China Dependency

Key Facts

Internal EU documents revealed plans to secure critical raw material supplies, including rare earths and tungsten, from Vietnam. Reuters reported that the move aims to mitigate risks from Chinese export restrictions that have disrupted European defense supply chains, with the European Commission currently assessing potential cooperation with Vietnam.

The strategic shift comes as Vietnam holds substantial deposits of critical minerals, though its exports to Europe have largely been limited to tungsten and antimony used in weapons manufacturing. The EU seeks to establish Vietnam as a viable alternative to China to ensure the stability of military production and prevent delays in the delivery of essential defense equipment.