It is our pleasure to invite you to our latest EU Toolbox Talk

The EU, Critical Raw Materials, and the Green Transition Tightrope

An online discussion with:

Hildegard Bentele, Member of the European Parliament, Shadow Rapporteur for the Critical Raw Materials Act for the EPP Group

Przemyslaw Kowalski, Senior Economist, OECD

and

Alfonso Medinilla, Head of Climate Action and Green Transition, ECDPM

Moderator:  Etienne Höra, Project Manager Sovereign Europe, Bertelsmann Stiftung

Wednesday, January 17th,

4:00 – 5:00 pm CET/11:00 – 12:00 pm EST

REGISTER HERE

This event continues our online series EU Strategic Toolbox Talks. In the Toolbox Talks, we focus on existing and upcoming EU instruments aimed at managing critical dependencies and strengthening the EU’s sovereignty. These instruments form an important basis for fostering the EU’s capability to act in a global environment increasingly shaped by geopolitical tensions and systemic rivalries.

It will focus on the trade aspects linked to the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act. The green transition is fueling a rapidly increasing demand for specific raw materials, notably rare earths integral to every electric motor, and lithium and cobalt, which are critical for battery production. However, the production and processing of these materials are heavily centralized, with the People’s Republic of China potentially leveraging its market dominance for geopolitical gains.

The EU’s Critical Raw Materials Package seeks to mitigate these risks through improved market intelligence, the promotion of mining within the EU and the diversification of supply via stronger trade and investment partnerships with third countries.

While significant progress has been made internally, leading to the near-finalization of the Critical Raw Materials Act, the external dimension is still pivotal and requires further focus. Our discussion will center on the following key questions:

  • How effective are the EU’s current trade tools for diversifying critical raw materials supplies?
  • What can be achieved by lowering tariffs and technical barriers to trade?
  • How can the EU make more attractive offers to the third countries which export critical raw materials? How can they better be integrated into value chains?

REGISTER FOR THE EVENT HERE

We are looking forward to your participation!

Read more on the EU in the new geopolitical landscape

Determined to Deter? The EU’s new Anti-Coercion Instrument

EU-China relations: De-risking is Key, but so is Actively Managed Cooperation

Global Gateway: The EU Maps a Different Path Than Belt and Road

The EU and China: The Rising Rivalry Next Door

Related Posts: