European businesses must have non-discriminatory access to supply contracts, projects, and financing. A unilateral preference for US providers—for example, in public procurement or acceptance contracts—must not be part of the agreement. Legally binding and uniform conditions for both sides are prerequisites. Germany’s federal government should act as part of a united EU—not bilaterally and without coordination.

A functioning partnership requires a clear pipeline of industry-driven projects. The focus should be on establishing processing capacities outside China—for the separation and refining of rare earths, battery and defence resources, and recycling.

Minimum price levels (so-called floors) certainly increase planning security for new projects but initially drive up procurement costs without increasing the global supply in the short term. The DIHK demands: Minimum price levels only for security-relevant resources where the state itself is the end customer – and for all other critical resources only as a very last resort.

Existing instruments—such as the German government’s Raw Materials Fonds, ReSourceEU, Global Gateway as well as US-led initiatives like "Project Vault" or FORGE—should be bundled and opened up for transatlantic co-investments. Core elements: a digital "OneStopCoFinance Desk," mutual recognition of environmental, social, and corporate governance standards (ESG standards), and risk guarantees. Third countries such as Australia, Brazil, or Canada should also be included in joint projects.

For long-term supply security, a transatlantic research and innovation agenda is necessary: Exploration technologies, refining processes, material substitution, and circular economy. Closer cooperation between geological services on both sides—including data sharing and joint risk reports—should also be further developed.

The partnership must strictly comply with WTO regulations. No new export restrictions, no new non-tariff trade barriers. Furthermore, a zero-tariff arrangement for all critical raw materials and intermediate products should be sought—building on the EU-US framework agreement of August 21, 2025.