German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul says China has shown willingness to cooperate on rare earth exports to Europe, offering a rare moment of optimism amid deepening geopolitical and trade tensions. Speaking during a two-day visit to Beijing, Wadephul said Chinese officials indicated they would work “constructively” with European importers seeking general licences to secure supplies of rare earths — metals critical to electronics, defence technologies and electric vehicles.
The minister met with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vice President Han Zheng, using the talks to address Beijing’s recent export restrictions on rare earths, as well as concerns over industrial overcapacity in China’s EV and steel sectors. In a message posted following the meetings, Wadephul said Germany and China remained committed to “balanced economic relations,” while acknowledging the need to confront “imbalances” such as market-access barriers and trade controls.
China introduced new export restrictions on several rare earth products this year, forcing global manufacturers to confront their dependence on Chinese supply. Wadephul said Beijing reassured him that it had “no intention” of burdening German companies with additional hurdles and encouraged them to apply for general licences under China’s evolving export framework. Wang Wentao also emphasised that the licensing system was designed to keep supply chains “stable and smooth.”
The discussions come at a time of heightened strain in German-Chinese relations. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged a firmer stance toward Beijing, and Wadephul previously cancelled an earlier trip after criticising China’s activities around Taiwan. German officials have repeatedly warned that the country — long one of China’s closest European trading partners — is now highly exposed to Beijing’s leverage over critical raw materials.
Last month, Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil left China with only informal assurances regarding rare earth supplies, highlighting the limits of European influence. The European Union is preparing to mobilise at least €3 billion over the next year to reduce its dependency on China for strategic raw materials, including through mining, processing and recycling initiatives.
Wadephul also used the Beijing meetings to press China to exert pressure on Russia to engage in “serious negotiations” over its war against Ukraine. He said European expectations were clearly conveyed: “If there’s one country that has influence on Russia, it’s China.”
