EU Aims to Increase Sourcing of Essential Minerals from Vietnam to Decrease Dependence on China

The European Union (EU) is investigating methods to enhance its relationship with Vietnam as a supplier of essential minerals, intending to lessen its reliance on China. The approach was disclosed in internal EU documents, motivated by worries that current supply chains might be jeopardised. Vietnam possesses vast reserves of tungsten, rare earth elements, antimony, bismuth, bauxite, and various other minerals. Exports to the EU have primarily been restricted to tungsten and antimony, both utilised in defence-related applications like ammunition and explosives.

A report from the EU delegation in Hanoi highlights that Europe must advance with rearmament and risk reduction without delay. It additionally mentions that Vietnam, possessing especially abundant reserves of rare earths and tungsten, should not be disregarded as a potential supplier of essential raw materials.

The June 2026 report and its related documents caution that procurement rivalry from foreign nations may hinder supplies to the EU. It specifically suggests providing financial assistance to Vietnam’s mining and processing sectors to sustain and enhance existing procurement channels for tungsten, bismuth, antimony, and titanium.

The documents emphasise that enhancing relations with Vietnam is essential to establish alternative procurement sources to substitute for China, the leading producer of critical minerals. The report from June 2026 and its related documents caution that procurement rivalry from other nations could disrupt supplies to the EU. It specifically suggests financial assistance for Vietnam’s mining and processing sectors to sustain and enhance existing supply chains for tungsten, bismuth, antimony, and titanium.

The EU seeks tangible results alongside To Lam’s visit to Brussels, where he serves as Vietnam’s top leader, General Secretary, and President of the Communist Party. European and Vietnamese officials indicate that To Lam is set to travel to the EU next week and will meet EU leaders on October 22.

In terms of critical minerals, the United States, Japan, South Korea, and others are diversifying their supply chains, positioning Vietnam as a central player in resource diplomacy. A crucial aspect moving forward will be whether the EU can offer specific cooperation initiatives, including financial assistance.

China represents the largest share of worldwide output for various essential minerals, such as rare earth elements and tungsten, and has traditionally employed export restrictions as a means of diplomacy. The EU is urgently striving to ensure reliable supplies of materials for semiconductors and electric vehicles (EVs), and is establishing Vietnam as a new source to be developed.

Vietnam has shown interest in drawing foreign mining investment, and the EU’s proposed financial support corresponds with the nation’s industrial development objectives. Nonetheless, some analysts point out that developing the supply chain from extraction to refining will require time, indicating that reducing reliance on China in the near term won’t be simple.