Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, kicked off a two-day visit to Japan on Tuesday. Her other big goal is to tie Europe and Asia closer together economically. On her trip, she will be meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Wednesday. They’re going to be talking about how to create a “competitiveness alliance” that encourages cooperation in mining rare-earth elements.
The summit between von der Leyen and Ishiba is an important development in deepening this strategic partnership in key industries. Rare-earth elements are essential for a range of high-tech applications. Consequently, many countries are now prioritizing the protection of their supply chains for these critical materials. Von der Leyen’s interest in this sector underscores the growing recognition of its importance for both energy transition and technological innovation.
As part of her visit, von der Leyen will be holding joint talks with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba. She will engage with European Council President Antonio Costa too. This triad of leadership reinforces the deep pacts of solidarity among European institutions. They’re desperately trying to increase cooperation with Japan, particularly in the field of rare-earth mining.
Cooperation with Japan, von der Leyen declared in a recently published statement to Nikkei, is of “greatest importance.” She considers it a key piece for keeping our nation competitive in the global marketplace. The proposed alliance aims to leverage Japan’s advanced technology and expertise in mining while addressing Europe’s dependence on imports of these critical materials.
This joint development agreement comes at a time when the world’s supply chains are under immense pressure. Countries are reconsidering how they value, fund, and prioritize their natural capital. Through partnerships around rare-earth elements, Europe intends to reduce these vulnerabilities and strengthen its economic security.
Ursula von der Leyen’s previous engagements, including her visit to the European Commission headquarters in Belgium, where a photo was taken of her in July 2022, reflect her commitment to advancing Europe’s global standing. The portrait, photo © European Union, 2023 — photographer name, photographer®, European Union — represents her leadership and commitment to furthering global partnerships.