ÉVIAN-LES-BAINS, France — Leaders of the Group of Seven nations on Wednesday focused on reducing dependence on China for critical minerals supplies, placing supply-chain security at the center of discussions during the final day of the G7 summit in France, according to officials and diplomats.
The June 15–17 summit in Évian-les-Bains brought together leaders from the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Japan, Canada and the European Union. French officials said securing critical mineral supply chains was a priority of France’s G7 presidency and part of a broader effort to address global economic imbalances.
Critical minerals, including rare earth elements and other materials used in energy technologies, defense systems and advanced manufacturing, have become a growing concern for Western governments because China holds a dominant position in mining, processing and related supply chains. The issue gained urgency after Chinese export restrictions on certain rare earth-related products disrupted industries and highlighted vulnerabilities in Western supply networks, according to officials and industry analysts.
“We are negotiating texts that are significant on critical minerals and, as a consequence, on economic sovereignty,” a French presidency official said ahead of the summit, according to Reuters.
Diplomats said discussions included measures aimed at encouraging investment in mineral projects outside China and strengthening supply-chain resilience. Proposals under consideration have included market standards, subsidies, purchase guarantees and other mechanisms designed to support production and processing capacity among G7 countries and partner nations. Officials cautioned that any measures announced at the summit would likely represent initial steps rather than a comprehensive solution.
The discussions occurred amid broader efforts by advanced economies to diversify supplies of minerals such as rare earths, lithium, cobalt, tungsten and antimony. Previous G7 initiatives have emphasized diversification, transparency and cooperation with mineral-producing countries beyond the bloc.
China has defended its economic policies and called for international cooperation. Ahead of the summit, Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing participated in a video conference hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and urged support for a free and open trading environment, according to Chinese and French statements.
As the summit concluded on Wednesday, G7 leaders were expected to continue negotiations on a joint statement addressing critical minerals and economic security. Officials said details of any final commitments were still being finalized, and some elements remained under discussion.
