BERLIN/ROME, June 26 (Reuters) - Germany, France and Italy pledged to cooperate more on procuring raw materials at a meeting of economy and industrial ministers on Tuesday in Berlin they said marked a new phase of trilateral collaboration on European industrial policy.The West is racing to curb its dependence on China for critical materials after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the ensuing energy crisis in Europe exposed the danger of relying on an increasingly assertive, authoritarian state for key commodities.The European Union relies on China for about 95% of its supply of rare earths, important in particular for the transition to a carbon neutral economy.Tuesday's gathering kicked off a series of trilateral meetings on possible European policy responses to address "the challenges of the twin green and digital transition", a joint statement read."We can't guarantee the ecological and digital transformation if we are unable to help our companies get the raw materials they strongly need," French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said, according to the statement.The European Commission in March unveiled a legislative proposal which would set up a central purchasing agency for rare earths and other critical materials like lithium. The Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) would also force member states to speed up permits for new mines and processing plants.The European Union relies on China for about 95% of its supply of rare earths, important in particular for the transition to a carbon neutral economy.Tuesday's gathering kicked off a series of trilateral meetings on possible European policy responses to address "the challenges of the twin green and digital transition", a joint statement read."We can't guarantee the ecological and digital transformation if we are unable to help our companies get the raw materials they strongly need," French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said, according to the statement.The European Commission in March unveiled a legislative proposal which would set up a central purchasing agency for rare earths and other critical materials like lithium. The Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) would also force member states to speed up permits for new mines and processing plants. (ICE HO CHI MINH CITY)

Fonte notizia: Reuters