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European Union leaders have asked China for supply guarantees after Chinese restrictions disrupted manufacturing industries.

Resource-rich countries such as Brazil have insisted on playing a role not only in exporting raw materials but also in adding value to production cycles.

Premier Li Keqiang used the first G-20 summit in Africa to justify Beijing’s export restrictions and offer developing nations some of the future benefits of the industry.

Rare earths and strategic resources took center stage at last weekend’s meeting in Johannesburg as world manufacturing leaders faced supply problems and mining nations demanded more than simply selling raw materials to the highest bidder.

Li made delegates aware that Beijing must strictly control the supply of dual-use minerals, citing the need for security measures. Hours later, Chinese officials unveiled details of a mining partnership plan covering nineteen countries, which experts see as a clear response to the United States’ recent efforts to form alternative logistics networks.

The premier said China will “promote mutually beneficial cooperation and peaceful utilization of key minerals, adding that they will also “safeguard the interests of developing nations, responsibly addressing military and other applications.

The G-20 condemns nations that impose barriers to mineral exports, an indirect rebuke to China’s policies that have disrupted the production process of countries such as Germany and Japan.

These materials are vital for everything from precision weapons to consumer electronics, giving Beijing significant leverage amid escalating trade tensions with Washington.

Chinese President Xi Jinping as well as U.S. President Donald Trump did not attend the meeting as the two powers are still finalizing negotiations on common rare earth metal permits, having reached a trade lull last month.

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Industrial indicators show that China holds nearly half of the world’s rare earth reserves and processes about 70% of these materials globally.

European nations have felt the effects of the export regime, prompting France, Germany, the UK and Ireland to visit Beijing in the coming months, with rare earth elements a key agenda item.

Ireland’s head of state Michel Martin said he hoped the dialog would prevent future supply disruptions and ensure stable access to the needed substances. He said, “I very much hope that through these meetings and discussions we will be able to avoid such situations in the future and have real access to rare earth minerals.

Italy’s representative Giorgia Meloni emphasized the need to secure production cycles for the industry during the bilateral talks.

Resource-producing countries insist on added value Brazilian President Lula da Silva reiterated a key message long promoted by many developing nations: they will not accept being reduced to a mere supplier of unenriched minerals. The President said, “We will not just be exporters, but will be contributors to the global value chain of critical minerals.

The final declaration of the summit included language calling for regulations that will make mineral wealth the basis for prosperity and sustainable development, recognizing the concern of the Global South that the wealthy powers are appropriating the bulk of downstream profits.

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