The EU’s trade chief has confirmed the bloc is considering a specific rule to compel companies to diversify their suppliers away from China. The move follows Beijing’s use of export controls on critical materials.
Maros Sefcovic made the remarks in a speech at the Brussels Economic Security Forum. He pointed to recent cases involving chips and rare earths as evidence that change is needed. “We understand the urgency for critical minerals, but every high-risk sector must be weaned off single-supplier dependence,” Sefcovic said. Sefcovic said he would present an assessment of the EU-China relationship to the 27 heads of state and government at the European Council meeting on June 18 and 19. He added that political guidance on concrete tools would follow.