The European Commission has identified 47 strategic projects aimed at strengthening the region’s critical minerals sector and reducing its dependence on imports, particularly from China. These projects, spanning 13 member states, focus on materials essential for batteries and semiconductor production, with the goal of meeting the EU’s 2030 domestic production targets for key minerals like lithium and cobalt.
However, the EU’s ambitions for the future come at a time of crisis in its traditional metals sector. European steel and aluminum production have suffered due to high energy costs and competition from Chinese overcapacity. Now, U.S. tariffs on aluminum imports pose an additional threat by potentially diverting excess metal into the European market.
In response, the EU is considering tighter steel import quotas, new aluminum import restrictions, and a “melted and poured” rule to regulate metal origin tracking. Additionally, the Commission is preparing trade measures to curb the outflow of recyclable materials such as aluminum and copper scrap, which are increasingly being exported to the U.S. where they are exempt from tariffs.
Despite the Commission’s efforts, industry leaders stress the need for immediate action. Paul Voss, Director General of European Aluminium, has called for swift and targeted interventions to stabilize the sector. While the EU is making strides in securing its future metal supply chains, urgent measures are required to prevent further contraction of its industrial base.
