G7 Launches Alliance to Reduce Critical Mineral Reliance on China

During a summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, the Group of Seven established the Critical Minerals Resilience and Production Alliance to reduce reliance on China for rare earths and permanent magnets. The bloc set a target to ensure no single non-G7 supplier provides more than 60% of these materials by 2030, with an ultimate goal of 50%. This strategy follows Chinese export curbs and licensing requirements on rare earth technologies implemented in 2025.

To achieve these targets, the G7 will launch a coordination platform with the International Energy Agency and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to monitor market distortions and implement traceability systems, starting with lithium and nickel pilots. The plan includes increasing domestic stockpiling, expanding recycling capacity, and mobilizing investment for infrastructure. Canada supported the effort by announcing 13 new partnerships, including a collaboration between Ucore Rare Metals Inc. and Sumitomo Corporation of Americas to diversify supply chains for North America and Japan.

The Government of China condemned the initiative, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian accusing the G7 of using the rules of small exclusive circles to disrupt the international trade order. Despite the agreement, officials noted that China's continued dominance in refining processes and the high cost of new infrastructure remain significant hurdles to meeting the 2030 deadline.