News & Events
EU and US critical-minerals strategies: same goal, different methods
The United States and the European Union are both working to reduce their dependence on China for critical minerals, but they’re taking markedly different approaches. As both powers pursue critical-mineral independence through different means, the EU may struggle to keep up with the US’s more assertive policy. This matters to Australia as a trading partner of both those economies.
Read the full article written by Ivana Damjanovic here.
The EU–Australia FTA plays the long game on critical minerals with no short cuts
After eight years, the European Union (EU) and Australia have concluded negotiations for a free trade agreement, marking a new chapter in their economic and political relationship. The deal comes at a time of global disruption in the international legal order and presents as a new opportunity for fostering cooperation on critical minerals and enhanced EU engagement in the Indo-Pacific. Cooperation is one thing. But acknowledging and addressing historical bottlenecks to trade is quite another and the simple problems remain: processing and pricing – and no trade deal changes that overnight.
Read the full article written by Brent Jackson here.
Australia’s fuel crisis? We told you so
With global insecurity once again exposing Australia’s dependence on imported fuel, the lack of long-term policy memory and action by Canberra justifies a public “we told you so”. No recent Australian government can say it was not warned. … But there are fixes that could be applied.
Read the full article written by Brent Jackson here.
Australian Institute of International Affairs article: A change from the fair-weather approach to critical minerals in EU-Australia relations?
In the context of trade negotiations, particularly the failed variety, it is de rigueur to highlight obstacles, barriers and differences. But where critical minerals policy is concerned, it is the similarities between the European Union (EU) and Australia that are noteworthy. Given changed global circumstances, both Australia and the EU are now moving at pace to shore up supply of these industrial and strategic necessities. Positively for trade negotiators, we each have something to offer.
Read the full article written by Brent Jackson here.
Resource(ful) Diplomacy in a Time of War
NATIONAL PRESS CLUB OF AUSTRALIA, 16 NATIONAL CIRCUIT BARTON, 26 MAY, 12.00–14.00
The Centre’s first major event, hosted by the National Press Club - Resource(ful) Diplomacy in a Time of War - brought together representatives from the diplomatic corps, business, defence, and media sectors to explore the strategic importance of critical minerals in shaping global alliances, trade, and the clean energy future.
Ukraine is Europe’s critical minerals powerhouse, and control over Ukraine’s critical minerals is becoming a decisive factor in shaping peace. Ukraine’s critical resources are pivotal for Ukraine’s sovereignty and also for Europe’s energy independence and the European Union’s strategic autonomy.
Within this context, a growing number of strategically aligned countries seek cooperation with Australia to secure critical minerals supply chains, increasingly shaping the economic relationship between Europe and Australia.
Are Ukraine’s critical minerals a ‘Trump card’ to end the war? What is Ukraine’s potential in securing Europe’s energy security? How does Europe see the opportunities for further cooperation with Australia? How can Australia support Ukraine and Europe to develop its natural resources and achieve
strategic autonomy?
With thanks to our speakers, which included Tania Constable – CEO of the Minerals Council of Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko – Ambassador of Ukraine, Ambassador of Denmark – Ingrid Dahl-Madsen, Ambassador of the European Union to Australia Gabriele Visentin, veteran journalist Andrew Greene and UC Vice-Chancellor, Bill Shorten.