No modern technology without rare earth: the raw materials are essential for batteries, electric motors and computer chips. China is the most important producer of strategic power worldwide.
Germany is heavily dependent on imports from China when supplying rare earths. As the Federal Statistical Office announced, 65.5 percent of all imports from the country came last year, a total of around 3,400 tons. The raw materials are used in high technology production, for example for batteries, semiconductors or electromoters.
The proportion of imports from China decreased slightly – in 2023 it was still 69.1 percent – Germany is therefore unfavorable in a European comparison: the import quota from China for the entire EU is 46 percent.
Hardly any separate mining in the EU
In second place in the import nations to Germany, Austria is only 23.2 percent with an import share of. In third place, Estonia follows (5.6 percent). The substances are processed in both countries, the actual origin is statistically not detectable.
The 17 elements underneath are hardly reduced in Germany and the EU, hence the dependence on import. A total of around 5,200 tons worth 66 million euros were introduced to Germany in 2024 (2023: 5,900 tons). Almost 13,000 tons have recently been imported into the EU.
E-engine production Not conceivable without China imports
“With some of the rare earths, China has a particularly high proportion as a state of origin,” said the statisticians. Individual substances such as neodymium, praseodym and samarium, which are used, among other things for permanent magnets in electric motors, were also almost completely imported from China in 2024.
Lanthan compounds imported according to Germany came to 76.3 percent from the People’s Republic last year. These connections, which are used for the production of batteries, made a good three quarters of the entire import quantity less frequently.
Raw materials as strategic pressure
In the trade conflict with the United States, China uses the rare earth as a means of pressure. A few days ago, China imposed new export restrictions on rare earth in response to the punitive tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. The United States is currently striving for other sources, such as Ukraine.
