A group of ten MEPs from the Patriots for Europe (PfE) group, led by André Rougé, has submitted a written parliamentary question to the European Commission urging it to support the New Caledonian nickel sector as a matter of EU strategic autonomy. The MEPs argue that the EU's 80% reliance on Chinese and Indonesian nickel imports undermines the objectives of the Critical Raw Materials Act, and that New Caledonia—which holds 25% of the world's lateritic nickel reserves—should become the bloc's natural and secure source of the metal, essential for the energy transition and defence industry.
The question, dated 18 June 2026, highlights that two of New Caledonia's three nickel production sites have shut down, and that the future of the Eramet group, partly owned by the French state, is uncertain amid reports of Chinese buyers. The MEPs draw a contrast with Chinese dominance in batteries and rare earths, where government backing sustains mining groups.
first, whether the Commission will support the New Caledonian nickel sector through strategic stockpiling and industrial project support to prevent the Critical Raw Materials Act from becoming a dead letter; second, whether steps are being taken to oppose Indonesian nickel produced without compliance with environmental, social and governance criteria.
The question signals a push for EU-level intervention to secure a domestic supply chain, directly impacting EU producers of batteries and defence equipment, as well as nickel miners in New Caledonia and competitors in Indonesia and China. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks, and its answer will indicate whether it is willing to treat New Caledonia as a strategic partner under the Critical Raw Materials Act or to take trade measures against Indonesian nickel.