As global competition for specific mineral raw materials intensifies, this Briefing Paper explores the geopolitical and policy shifts shaping the EU’s external raw materials strategy. Beyond the established  approaches, it assesses new instruments such as Strategic Projects, or Strategic Partnerships on raw materials, their approaches, opportunities  and shortcomings. The paper offers timely insights into how the EU attempts to balance its striving for strategic autonomy with the realities of ongoing global dependencies.  We highlight the trade-offs between promoting sustainability, investment, and economic benefits in resource-rich countries, and the risk of intensifying extractivism.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.60637/2025-bp36