Can Vietnam Help the EU Break Its Dependence on China for Critical Minerals?

Can Vietnam Help the EU Break Its Dependence on China for Critical Minerals?

The European Union is seeking closer cooperation with Vietnam to secure supplies of critical minerals and reduce its dependence on China, according to internal EU documents reviewed by Reuters, as growing geopolitical tensions expose vulnerabilities in Europe’s industrial and defence supply chains. Documents prepared by the EU delegation in Hanoi in June 2026 recommend financial […]

️ — The EU is seeking closer ties with Vietnam to secure critical minerals and reduce its dependence on China, according to internal EU documents

Vietnam has large reserves of tungsten, rare earths and other minerals essential for defense industries.Europe wants to diversify its supplies as it rearms, particularly after Chinese export restrictions disrupted European supply chains last year.—...

EU Seeks Vietnam’s Critical Minerals to Reduce Dependence on China Amid Supply Chain Risks

The European Union is seeking to expand access to Vietnam’s critical mineral reserves as Brussels moves to reduce its dependence on China for materials essential to defense manufacturing, advanced technology and the energy transition, according to internal EU documents reviewed by Reuters. The documents, dated June 2026, recommend financial and technical support for Vietnam’s mining […]

Vietnam is becoming a test of EU's ability to secure critical minerals

Europe’s interest in Vietnam’s critical minerals reflects a shift from identifying alternative suppliers to competing for access to their output. The internal EU documents describe a concern that extends beyond dependence on China: commercially established sources outside China could become increasingly tied to other buyers before European institutions mobilise financing. Vietnam offers both existing production and longer-term geological potent…