G7 Critical Minerals Plan targets 60% import limit by 2030
In brief
- G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan sets 60% import limit per supplier by 2030, launched June 17, 2025
- China controls over 60% of global rare earths, lithium, and cobalt processing markets
- $6.4 billion allocated across 26 projects to build alternative supply chains outside China
- Plan focuses on supply chain diversification, responsible production investment, and mineral traceability
- UK Vision 2035 establishes matching 60% limit target for critical mineral demand by 2035
Countering supply chain concentration
China currently commands over 60% of the global market for key minerals including rare earths, lithium, and cobalt processing. That concentration became a strategic concern after China restricted exports of gallium and germanium in 2023, signaling to Western governments that supply chain dependence could become a liability during geopolitical tensions.
The 60% import threshold aims to prevent any single nation from wielding that kind of leverage. For member states, it means building redundant, diversified sources for minerals essential to energy transition, semiconductors, and defense systems.
Three-pillar framework
The Action Plan focuses on three pillars: diversifying supply chains, investing in responsible production, and ensuring traceability of critical minerals from mine to manufacturer. A Roadmap to Promote Standards-based Markets is expected in October 2025 to outline specific mechanisms for achieving diversification goals.
The G7 is backing its vision with capital.
The G7 announced $6.4 billion in critical mineral projects spanning 26 investments designed to build alternative supply chains outside Chinese dominance. Mining companies with operations outside China, particularly those focused on lithium, cobalt, and rare earth extraction, stand to benefit from the initiative.
"Critical minerals are the building blocks of the energy transition, the semiconductor industry, and the defense sector." — Crypto Briefing
Broader implications
Lithium is used in EV batteries, rare earths power wind turbines and fighter jet engines, and cobalt is essential for rechargeable batteries. The stakes span energy, technology, and national security.
The UK's Vision 2035 strategy targets ensuring no single country supplies more than 60% of its critical mineral demand by 2035—a parallel timeline that reinforces the G7's commitment to supply chain resilience. These goals don't eliminate China from global mineral markets; they create competitive pressure and redistribute market share among allied nations.
