Italy, France and Germany to Lead EU Critical Materials Stockpiling Plan, Sources Say

European Union flags flutter outside the EU Commission headquarters, on the day of a European Union leaders' summit in Brussels, Belgium, December 18, 2025. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq/File Photo
With Reuters

By Pratima Desai and Julia Payne

The European Union is pushing ahead with plans to stockpile critical materials, with Italy, France, and Germany set to take leading roles as the bloc moves to cut reliance on China, four sources with knowledge of the matter said.

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