EU Parliament Delegation Ends China Visit as Minerals Fund Remains in Talks

A 12-member delegation from the European Parliament's International Trade Committee concluded a three-day visit to China on October 29, 2026, calling for continued EU-China engagement and concrete results. The visit ended with the question of Europe's dependence on China for critical minerals still unresolved.

The European Parliament had previously adopted a negotiating position by 470 votes to 83, with 108 abstentions, proposing a €2 billion fund as initial funding. The fund remains under negotiation, so the vote establishes Parliament's position rather than a finalized funding measure.

Faster approval measures could ease immediate pressure, but businesses remain concerned about the supply-chain effects of de-risking policies. For companies dependent on critical mineral supplies, the distinction matters: quicker approvals may address near-term constraints, while the eventual terms of the fund and the course of EU-China engagement will shape how the broader response develops.

The outcome of negotiations on the fund and any concrete results from continued engagement are therefore the key developments to watch. Their effects on supply chains will depend on what is ultimately agreed and implemented.