EU’s Green Dream COLLAPSES Under China’s Grip

Europe’s green dreams are crumbling under China’s iron grip on critical raw materials, exposing the folly of globalist overreliance just as President Trump’s America secures its own supply chains.

Story Snapshot

EU Court of Auditors warns Critical Raw Materials Act targets for 2030 extraction, processing, and recycling will fail due to China dependence.
China controls 97% of EU magnesium imports and all rare earth processing, weaponizing supplies with export restrictions.
Green permitting delays and weak recycling stall EU projects, risking shortages in renewables, defense, and tech.
Trump administration’s stockpiling contrasts EU’s vulnerability, highlighting benefits of America-first resource strategies.

ECA Report Exposes EU Supply Vulnerabilities

The European Court of Auditors released a report on February 2, 2026, stating the EU will struggle to meet Critical Raw Materials Act targets by 2030. CRMA mandates 10% domestic extraction, 40% processing, and 25% recycling of key materials. Auditors cite heavy reliance on China, which supplies 97% of EU magnesium and dominates rare earth refining. Inadequate supply tracking exacerbates risks for renewables, green tech, digital infrastructure, defense, and aerospace sectors. This dependence undermines Europe’s push for strategic autonomy.

China’s Export Controls Tighten the Noose

China expanded export restrictions on rare earths, graphite, and gallium in October 2025, building on 2023 curbs. The EU imports 96% of its magnesium from China and near-zero domestic processing for many materials. Despite 14 to 15 strategic partnerships with countries like Australia and Canada since 2021, diversification efforts lag. ECA auditor Keit Pentus-Rosimannus warned this vulnerability discredits EU goals of independence. China’s processing monopoly positions it to leverage supplies amid US-China tensions.

Green Agendas Stall Critical Projects

EU member states and MEPs block strategic mining projects over environmental concerns, delaying lithium mines and others. RESourceEU Action Plan, launched December 3, 2025, allocates €3 billion for 2026 investments and a new Raw Materials Centre modeled on Japan’s JOGMEC. Yet progress remains slow, with projects stalled by permitting hurdles. European Commission VP Stéphane Séjourné calls dialogue with China essential while pursuing derisking, contrasting Trump’s decisive US stockpiling under America-first policies.

Failed Recycling and Broader Implications

Recycling gaps plague the EU, with 10 materials showing no recovery and high regulations hindering competitiveness against China’s scale. Short-term supply crises threaten 2026-2029 goals for EVs, wind, solar, and defense. Long-term, missing CRMA benchmarks exposes Europe to weaponization, raising energy costs for citizens and weakening geopolitics versus a self-reliant America. ECA urges binding per-material targets and better monitoring to avert net-zero derailment.

America-First Lessons for Global Security

While EU grapples with offshored processing and green overreach, President Trump’s administration stockpiles critical minerals, shielding US industries from similar fates. EU citizens face higher costs and delayed transitions; renewables firms suffer battery and solar shortages. Mining regions debate jobs against protests. This saga validates conservative warnings against globalism, emphasizing domestic production and limited government interference to protect national security and economic sovereignty.