Europe in a Raw Materials Frenzy – How We Can Become Independent of Trump and China | Documentary...

Sep 12, 2025 | Crises such as the war in Ukraine, geopolitical tensions with China, and the trade dispute with Trump are changing Europe's view of raw materials. Access to critical materials is becoming a strategic challenge. The EU aims to become more independent with the Critical Raw Materials Act – by mining, processing, and recycling critical raw materials directly in Europe.

But the transformation is complex: While magnesite and graphite are being mined in Austria, resistance is forming in Serbia against a large-scale lithium project. Critics complain of environmental destruction and corruption, while supporters see it as an economic opportunity for Serbia and all of Europe.

The topic of recycling is also gaining importance: Researchers such as Marie Perrin from ETH Zurich are working on innovative processes for recovering rare earths from electronic waste.

European mining is at a turning point – caught between geopolitical pressure, technological progress, and social resistance.