EU strategic dependencies and capacities: second stage of in-depth reviews

Summary:

Report published by the European Commission on 22 February 2022, comprising the second edition of in-depth analysis of the European Union's strategic dependencies.

Further information:

The report looks at five areas – rare earths and magnesium, chemicals, solar panels, cybersecurity and IT software - where the European Union (EU) faces strategic dependencies on third countries. It highlights:

• Strategic dependencies on rare earths, magnesium and PV panels stem from a strong concentration of global production in China, current limited options for supply diversification or substitution; dependencies are also identified for a number of chemicals that are of critical importance across a range of industrial ecosystems; weaknesses are identified in comparison with the EU's global competitors for key technologies such as cybersecurity and IT software.
• Significant progress on actions initiated to address strategic dependencies identified in the first edition of the in-depth review.

In May 2021, the Commission published its Updated Industrial Strategy, which inter alia reaffirms the priorities set out in the 2020 New Industrial Strategy. The 2021 Communication was accompanied by a report analysing EU's strategic dependencies.

• Primary Source

• Alternative Source

Official

European Commission: Press Release, 23/02/2022: Commission presents an updated in-depth review of Europe's strategic dependencies https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_1124

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