A group of 12 MEPs from the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group, led by Alberico Gambino, has submitted a parliamentary question to the European Commission warning that China's expanding control over copper extraction and processing in Latin America could threaten the EU's strategic autonomy in critical raw materials. The MEPs argue that Beijing's strategy to dominate global critical raw material value chains, from extraction to processing, risks leaving Europe vulnerable as demand for copper surges due to the energy transition, e-mobility, and digitalisation.
The question, filed on 29 June 2026, asks the Commission to assess the risk that China's tightening grip on copper and other critical raw material supply chains could undermine the Union's strategic autonomy. The MEPs also inquire how the Commission plans to strengthen the EU's economic and industrial presence in Latin America to secure more diversified supply chains less dependent on Chinese operators. Additionally, they ask whether the Commission has conducted a geopolitical and industrial impact assessment of the potential concentration of critical raw material supply chains in the hands of entities linked to the People's Republic of China.
The question reflects growing concern among some EU lawmakers about the bloc's reliance on external suppliers for resources essential to the green and digital transition. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks, and its answer will signal the executive's policy direction on securing critical raw material supply chains and engaging with Latin American partners.
Policy orientations and expected follow-up The MEPs' question contains concrete asks: a risk assessment, a strategy for EU presence in Latin America, and an impact assessment. The Commission's response will indicate whether it shares the lawmakers' concerns and what measures it may propose. The EU has already taken steps to secure critical raw materials, such as the Critical Raw Materials Act, but the question highlights a perceived gap in addressing Chinese influence in Latin America. The answer could shape future EU initiatives in the region and influence trade and investment policies.