BRUSSELS — The European Commission plans to set up an industry platform for buying strategic raw materials and will undertake a review of its Public Procurement Directive, according to a raft of proposals aimed at boosting Europe’s industrial competitiveness due to be presented next week.
In the trade-related sections of the so-called Competitiveness Compass, a copy of which was obtained by POLITICO, the EU executive announces it will “create a platform for the joint purchase of critical raw materials to identify the needs of EU industries, aggregate demand, and coordinate joint purchases.”
The 27-nation bloc is heavily dependent on imports of critical raw materials, such as the lithium used in electric vehicle batteries — where industry leader China dominates both the supply and processing of the metal. China has also curbed exports of germanium and gallium, which are essential to make semiconductors and solar cells.
Highlighting the threat from unfair competition and global output overcapacity, the Commission also flags that it will strengthen Ursula von der Leyen’s economic security agenda by adding a European preference in public procurement for critical sectors and technologies through a review of its Public Procurement Directive.
