Resource Sovereignty: The USA Engages in Predatory Extortion – How Should Europe Respond Now?

In the past, Donald Trump made it clear that geopolitical support does not come without a quid pro quo. This is currently reflected in the extorted ‘partnership’ with Ukraine – with an uncertain outcome. This involves sought-after metals such as scandium, which is said to be found in Ukraine. Other critical minerals are also a focus of the partnership. It is particularly noteworthy that many of Ukraine’s raw material deposits, dating back to the Soviet era, could not be developed without foreign technologies and investments. Nevertheless, a security guarantee for Ukraine remains absent. Under these circumstances, will engineers be found to support the infrastructure development?

Ukraine is rich in resources. In addition to iron, nickel, and titanium, its soil also contains metals such as lithium, platinum, and highly sought-after germanium, a key material for modern technologies. It is not surprising that these treasures are among the presumed economic underpinnings of the conflict with Russia. Although political and security-strategic motives are paramount, control over critical commodities could also play a role. Commodity policy is more than ever security policy. And here, a worrying weakness of the European Union (EU) becomes apparent, as it contributes only about 2% of global investments in commodity exploration.

The USA and Russia understand the crucial role these materials play – not only for industrial progress but also in defense and military development. Europe, however, observes these dynamics without a quickly implementable plan that could match the state investments and strategic partnerships of the USA or China’s state-controlled supply chains and aggressive commodity securing.

The lack of a European strategy is more than an economic policy oversight. It has direct consequences for defense capabilities and economic stability. Technologies, armaments projects, and sustainability initiatives increasingly depend on raw materials that are as scarce as they are essential. Continuing to rely solely on market mechanisms or foreign suppliers is a risk that could prove costly for Europe in times of crisis.

A ‘Metal NATO,’ as partially envisioned in the European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA) founded in 2020, could help reduce Europe’s dependence on third countries. Even if ERMA is not a defense alliance, its goal is to secure Europe’s supply of critical metals through its own extraction, strategic partnerships, and technological innovations. However, the USA also plays an important role in this NATO, and it might already be disintegrating under the current Trump administration before it has even properly started.

Europe must no longer stand idly by while other nations secure key resources. It is high time for:

• A European raw material strategy: A systematic plan that includes not only economic but also security policy aspects.
• Strategic investments in research, sustainable technologies, and domestic raw material extraction.
• Global cooperation to secure long-term supply chain partnerships while maintaining geopolitical independence.

The path is clear – Europe must move from observer to actor. Raw material sovereignty is a crucial building block for stability, security, and prosperity. If we do not act proactively, we risk being left out of future key issues.

Now is the moment to secure Europe’s place at the negotiating table. Let us not let it pass unused.