Story perspectives

France Leads G7 Push to Curb China Mineral Dependence

6/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

France urges G7 members to adopt a joint statement on critical minerals to curb China dependence.
G7 leaders met in Evian-les-Bains, France, June 15-17 2026 to discuss critical-mineral supply-chain security and economic imbalances with China.
President Donald Trump promoted bilateral talks with China and floated a “G2” partnership, diverging from the G7 response.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi offered a joint strategic stockpile of critical minerals to reduce China’s market dominance.

History

Historical Context

In 2009 China cut rare-earth exports by about 40% to roughly 35,000 t, prompting a WTO dispute and revealing its near-monopoly (129,000 of 132,000 t global output). The curbs sparked stockpiling in the US, Japan and the EU. At the June 2026 G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France leads a joint critical-minerals statement while Japan’s PM Sanae Takaichi and former US President Donald Trump push separate supply-security plans.

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Story summary

France urges G7 members to adopt a joint statement on critical minerals to curb China dependence.
G7 leaders met in Evian-les-Bains, France, June 15-17 2026 to discuss critical-mineral supply-chain security and economic imbalances with China.
President Donald Trump promoted bilateral talks with China and floated a “G2” partnership, diverging from the G7 response.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi offered a joint strategic stockpile of critical minerals to reduce China’s market dominance.

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