On 09 December, the EUISS was pleased to welcome representatives from the EU Commission, Member State governments, industry, research technology organisations, think tanks, and universities to a closed-door scenario workshop: Starting with the end in-mind: de-risked gallium, germanium, rare earth value chains by 2030.
The workshop centred around a strategic approach known as "backcasting," which involves "starting with the end in mind" to achieve a fully de-risked supply chain for these critical materials by 2030. This method guided discussions as participants envisioned a future in which the EU reduces its reliance on China to zero, for gallium, germanium, and rare earth elements. These materials are used to produce permanent magnets and semiconductors, among other strategic components. These products are vital for critical sectors including defence, digital, and green industries. In turn, these sectors are vital for European prosperity, security, and economic resilience.
Working backwards from a diversified supply mix in 2030, participants outlined necessary steps that EU institutions and Member State governments should take today, to make the 2030 scenario a reality. The workshop was organised by Joris Teer, Research Analyst for Economic Security and Technology at EUISS, John Seaman, Research Fellow at the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI), and Alessia Caruso, Trainee – Asia/China Program at EUISS. Steven Everts, EUISS Director, opened the event.
