The escalating geopolitical tensions and Beijing’s increasingly assertive trade policies are prompting a critical reassessment of Germany’s raw materials dependence on China, with calls for a fundamental shift in strategy. Roderich Kiesewetter, a prominent CDU foreign policy spokesperson, is spearheading the argument for a state-controlled strategic reserve of critical raw materials, echoing concerns shared across the political spectrum.
Kiesewetter argues that Germany’s reliance on China for vital resources has rendered it vulnerable to economic coercion, a danger exacerbated by Beijing’s escalating alignment with Moscow. He points to China’s recent export restrictions and stringent export controls as definitive proof that the long-held strategy of “security through trade” has demonstrably failed. “The illusion that global markets function free from power politics is irrevocably shattered” he stated, advocating for the swift utilization of state-owned land and warehousing facilities to create a raw materials buffer.
The proposal draws a parallel to Cold War-era stockpiling practices, where essential goods were reserved for emergency situations. Kiesewetter emphasized the urgent need to diversify sourcing, specifically urging a renewed focus on Brazil and other nations. “Germany should finally breathe life into its strategic partnership with Brazil and increasingly procure rare earth elements from Brazil and other states. We should also discuss sourcing from Australia, India and Tanzania.
The vulnerability extends to German businesses, many of which heavily rely on Chinese rare earth elements. Kiesewetter proposed incentivizing these companies to secure alternative supplies from countries perceived as more amicable.
This push for resource diversification is mirroring a growing sentiment across the German political landscape. Robin Wagener, foreign policy spokesperson for the Green party, supports the broader objective. “Now it’s about technological resilience and sovereignty” he emphasized. “We must consistently reduce dependencies, diversify supply chains and strengthen partnerships with democracies and countries unwilling to be dominated by major autocracies.
Wagener reinforced Kiesewetter’s assessment, asserting that the belief in a purely market-driven global economy has been proven naive. “Economic dependencies have long become a geopolitical pressure tool. Beijing’s recent decisions demonstrate once again: for China, the rules of power, not the rules of the market, prevail. These dependencies will prove expensive for us.
The calls for action underscore a growing recognition that maintaining economic security in a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape demands a proactive and potentially costly shift away from dependence on potentially unreliable trading partners, placing a renewed emphasis on strategic alliances and resource independence.