Securing critical raw material (CRM) value chains – a prerequisite for Europe’s technological resilience
At the heart of economic security, technological resilience is a backbone of the European Union’s (EU) competitiveness. The EU’s energy and digital transitions depend on critical raw materials (CRM).
However, their supply is hampered by export restrictions challenging EU industries. CRM is a geopolitical issue, highlighting Sino-American technological rivalry. While China is pulling the strings, constraining exports of CRM, the US is doing so by limiting high-end technological products.
This paper resulted from a workshop at the 13th Genshagen Forum for Franco-German Dialogue (June 26 and 27, 2025) with the topic “EU competitiveness: heading or drift?”.
Marie Krpata, Research Fellow with the Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa) at the French Institute for International Relations (Ifri)
Stefan Steinicke, Senior Manager Security and Raw Materials with the Federation of German Industries (BDI)
This publication is available on Genshagen Foundation: "Securing critical raw material (CRM) value chains – a prerequisite for Europe’s technological resilience".
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Genshagen Forum for Franco-German Dialogue. Genshagen Foundation, Berlin
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Marie KRPATA
Research Fellow, Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa), Ifri
The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa)
The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa) was created in 1954 by an inter-governmental agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and France, in order to raise awareness of Germany in France and analyze Franco-German relations, including in their European and international dimensions. In its conferences and seminars, which bring together experts, political leaders, senior decision-makers and representatives of civil society from both countries, Cerfa develops the Franco-German debate and stimulates political proposals. It regularly publishes studies through two collections: Cerfa notes and studies as well as Franco-German visions.
Cerfa maintains close relations with the network of German foundations and think tanks. In addition to its research and debate activities, Cerfa promotes the emergence of a new Franco-German generation through original cooperation programs. This is how in 2021-2022, Cerfa led a program on multilateralism with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Paris. This program is aimed at young professionals from both countries interested in the issues of multilateralism in the context of their activities. It covered a wide range of themes relating to multilateralism, such as international trade, health, human rights and migration, non-proliferation and disarmament. Previously, Cerfa had participated in the Franco-German future dialogue, co-led with the DGAP from 2007 to 2020, and supported by the Robert Bosch Foundation and the Daniel Vernet group (formerly the Franco-German Reflection Group) which was founded in 2014 upon the initiative of the Genshagen Foundation.
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