In June 2025, China’s rare earth magnet exports to the EU rose sharply to 43 percent of total shipments, amid eased licensing rules. This shift follows earlier export controls that had disrupted trade and heightened tensions. European leaders remain concerned over China’s dominance, as it controls about 70 percent of global rare earth mining and over 90 percent of heavy rare earth processing. A report by Strategy Risks highlights this dependency as a major strategic vulnerability for the EU.