‘Europe must take its own decisions’, says foreign minister José Manuel Albares
    • Saleh@feddit.orgEnglish
      1·
      22 hours ago

      For instance rare earths, battery technology, solar cells, microchips.

      • bungalowtill@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        1·
        20 hours ago

        Oh. That’s a lot. Resources, knowledge and products.

        How are we going to do this?

        For example, what is Europe supposed to do if it doesn’t have as much rare earths in their territory as they would like to refine? And at the same time not become too (whenever that threshold is reached) dependant on someone who has?

        • Saleh@feddit.orgEnglish
          1·
          11 hours ago

          The EU is already investing to build a locl chip industry, catching up on the failings of the past. In regards to rare earth medals it is difficult. China practically cornered that market. These metals are not so much rare in the sense that you dont find them, but rather they are only in the minerals in small quantitities. So you need to chew through a lot of ground, which has severe impacts on the local environment.