Securing critical minerals' supply chains : a comparative approach of the U.S. and EU strategies

Tsouris, Evangelos; Τσούρης, Ευάγγελος

Master Thesis

Author

Tsouris, Evangelos

Τσούρης, Ευάγγελος

Date

2026-03

Abstract

Critical Raw Materials / Critical Minerals (CRMs/CMs) are essential to a wide range of applications, spanning from clean energy, digital, defense and aerospace technologies. Indeed, CRMs are necessary inputs for net-zero energy technologies, such as solar panels, Electric Vehicles (EVs), and wind turbines. As a result, they are at the core of the geopolitics of energy transition and their availability can influence the pace of the global decarbonisation. However, CRMs supply chains are geographically concentrated and susceptible to various disruptions. At the same time, China dominates almost all stages of CMs supply chains and, subsequently, poses significant risks to the security of supply of other actors, such as the United States (U.S.) and the European Union (EU). The challenges associated with CRMs supply chains and the Chinese mineral dominance led many actors to implement strategies to securitize their supply chains, reduce their vulnerability exposure and limit their import dependency. The U.S. and the EU –two entities with distinct characteristics and strategic visions- represent two of the most prominent examples in the securitization process of CRMs supply chains. The present thesis draws upon the theoretical framework of securitization and seeks to answer whether the energy transition constitutes the primary driver for the securitization of CRMs supply chains by the U.S. and the EU. The thesis’ methodology is based on a qualitative analysis of institutional texts and strategies issued during 2017-2025 from both actors –specifically the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act and the U.S. Department of Energy’s strategies-, as well as on a comparative case study. The thesis is conducting a comparative analysis that focuses on three main axes: the legal instruments employed to drive this securitization process, the primary driver that led to this process, and the modes of implementation adopted by both actors. The findings reveal significant convergences in the securitization of CRMs supply chains, with both actors prioritizing their supply chains’ resilience. However, divergences emerge: while the U.S. approach is mainly driven by national security concerns and its multi-layered geopolitical competition with China, the EU approach is linked to its Open Strategic Autonomy goal and the imperatives of the energy and digital transitions. Ultimately, the thesis demonstrates that energy transition constitutes the primary reason for the securitization of CRMs supply chains only in the case of the EU because of the targets set under its European Green Deal. On the contrary, the competition with China and the need to improve national security were the primary drivers for the U.S. securitization process.

Postgraduate Studies Programme

Energy: Strategy, Law & Economics

Department

Σχολή Οικονομικών, Επιχειρηματικών και Διεθνών Σπουδών. Τμήμα Διεθνών και Ευρωπαϊκών Σπουδών

Number of pages

Language

English

URI

https://dione.lib.unipi.gr/xmlui/handle/unipi/19160

Collections

Τμήμα Διεθνών και Ευρωπαϊκών Σπουδών

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Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as
Αναφορά Δημιουργού-Μη Εμπορική Χρήση-Όχι Παράγωγα Έργα 3.0 Ελλάδα