UK launches critical minerals strategy to reduce dependency on China

Standoff between China and EU over supply of chips for car industry underlines value of sector requiring huge financial investment

Keir Starmer has announced a critical minerals and rare earths strategy to build resilience against China, which has a stranglehold on supplies of materials including magnets critical to everything from car doors to fridges.

“For too long, Britain has been dependent on a handful of overseas suppliers, leaving our economy and national security exposed to global shocks,” the prime minister said.