In an article published on February 7, 2026, WirtschaftsWoche reports on a strategic shift in U.S. raw materials policy. Backed by multibillion-dollar investments and new alliances, the United States is seeking to reduce its dependence on China. For the European Union, this development represents a delicate balancing act between cooperation and the risk of new dependencies. Jan Giese, Senior Manager Minor Metals & Rare Earth Elements at TRADIUM, urges caution: “By taking this step, the United States is assuming a leading role in critical raw materials, potentially leaving partner countries at a disadvantage.” At the same time, he notes that the U.S. initiative could serve as a wake-up call for the EU to implement its own raw materials strategies more quickly and decisively.
