Germany's Merz urges Europe to stockpile critical raw materials

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Thursday that Europe must build strategic reserves of critical raw materials to reduce dependence on dominant supplier countries, according to Reuters. Merz stated that without these materials, there would be no batteries, high-performance electric motors, modern semiconductors, or other future technologies. He proposed creating European-level reserves in Brussels and urged state support for diversifying supply sources, strengthening recycling, and boosting the circular economy. The European Union, like other Western economies, relies heavily on China for critical minerals and components such as batteries and rare earths, which are used in defense, aerospace, automotive, and renewable energy industries.