This Thursday, the 5th, China rejected the creation of exclusive “small circles” in the international trade of critical minerals and defended an “open, inclusive and universally beneficial” commercial environment, in response to initiatives led by the United States.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a press conference that “maintaining an open, inclusive and universally beneficial international trade environment serves the common interests of all countries.”
Lin further stressed that “all parties have a responsibility to play a constructive role” to safeguard the stability and security of global production and supply chains for critical minerals.
The spokesperson added that China “opposes any country harming the international economic and commercial order through exclusive ‘small circle’ rules”, in an indirect reference to the cooperation mechanisms promoted by Washington with partners and allies to reduce China’s dependence in this sector.
The statements come after the United States announced the creation of a commercial alliance for critical minerals and Washington and the European Union agreed on a first joint action plan to coordinate supply policies for these raw materials, considered essential for industries such as semiconductors, advanced batteries and defense.
Beijing reiterated in recent days that its position on the stability of global supply chains “has not changed” and defended the strengthening of communication and dialogue between countries, to the detriment of formulas that “fragment international trade”.
The United States has recently promoted several initiatives with allies to diversify the supply of critical minerals, including agreements with the European Union and Japan, as well as the announcement of investments to create a strategic reserve.
Washington and Brussels point to China as the dominant actor in this market, while Beijing maintains that cooperation must be based on market principles and open commercial frameworks.
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