Ricardo Pinheiro
CEO & Founder, Lusorecursos
At MINEX Europe 2025, I recalled a statement I heard at the Future Minerals Forum 2025 in Riyadh:
“For the West to compete with China, sovereigns must directly intervene in mining and industrial projects.”
Europe speaks of autonomy but continues to act merely as a regulator.
While the Dutch government blocks Nexperia and China responds, European automotive clients once again face chip shortages.
Realism must prevail:
– European sovereign funds and public banks must invest equity in critical projects;
– Companies must remain open to partnerships with other regions, as Gulf sovereigns do;
– Time is the new competitive advantage.
Autonomy is not isolation — it is strategic cooperation built on sovereign capital.
