Bruce Alway
Europe's €800 billion ReArm plan is set to transform defence spending, but securing a reliable supply of critical metals is a major challenge. With growing geopolitical risks and reliance on foreign suppliers, access to accurate metals market data is essential for ensuring Europe's defence ambitions remain on track.
- The EU’s €800B ReArm Europe plan increases defence spending and aims to reduce reliance on US military supplies.
- Critical defence metals like titanium & tungsten are in high demand, but sourcing from China, Russia & Africa carries supply chain risks.
- Accurate market data is crucial for tracking metal supply, demand, and pricing to navigate the evolving geopolitical landscape.
The European Union’s €800 billion "ReArm Europe" plan, announced on 4 March 2025, is designed to strengthen Europe’s security and provide immediate support to Ukraine. The plan includes boosting national defence spending, a €150 billion loan programme to acquire critical military assets, and additional EU budget allocations for defence-related investments. This comes amidst rising European and UK defence stocks as Europe looks to reduce dependence on US military supplies.
A key challenge lies in securing the raw materials for Europe’s military manufacturing, with the demand for critical defence metals like titanium, tungsten and rare earth elements rising. Europe’s reliance on external sources, particularly from Russia, China, and Africa, poses significant risks. This geopolitical challenge is compounded by political instability in key regions like the DRC and Mozambique, which could disrupt supply chains.
Chart: EU imports from ROW, Jan-Dec 2024
Source: LSEG, Global Trade Tracker.
To mitigate these risks, the EU aims to increase self-sufficiency in critical raw materials through the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), with targets for 2030. However, significant challenges remain, such as opposition to new mining projects and competition from lower-cost imports.
In such a volatile market, having access to the right data is crucial for navigating supply chain risks and making informed decisions. Accurate, up-to-date information on metal production, consumption and trade flows enables businesses and investors to identify trends, forecast market movements, and ensure the resilience of their supply chains. Without reliable data, organisations risk making decisions based on incomplete or outdated information, potentially compromising both their operational and financial stability.
Gain a competitive edge with authoritative metals market data from the World Bureau of Metal Statistics (WBMS) – now part of LSEG. Track global production, consumption, trade flows, and market balances across base, precious, and minor metals, plus steel and stainless steel. With 30+ years of historical data, cutting-edge visualizations, and API access, WBMS empowers traders, analysts, and decision-makers to: ANALYSE short- and long-term market trends; BENCHMARK internal forecasts; FORECAST supply, demand, and prices; EVALUATE projects with real-world data. Stay ahead with the most trusted metals data in the industry.
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