US Outpaces Europe in Critical Minerals Investment, Disrupting EU Plans

Published: Jul 22, 2026 18:08 (GMT+8)

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The US has surpassed Europe in investment in critical minerals, leaving the latter struggling to shake off its dependence. Citing analysis by the French Institute of International Relations, WSJ reports that over the past five years, the US has invested about $46 billion in critical raw material projects through grants, loans, and tax incentives—eight times the amount invested by the EU. The US is also negotiating prioritized development of mineral resources in countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ukraine, while supporting overseas projects through financing plans. WSJ says the US’s aggressive strategy has disrupted Europe’s plans. To secure a loan from the US Export-Import Bank, Pensana, a London-based rare earth developer working on the Longonjo project in Angola, has already moved a processing plant originally planned to be built in the UK to the US.

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