# UK found to be dangerously dependent on China for critical minerals

Digest AI · Policy & Regulation · published 2026-11-05T05:00:55Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/uk-found-to-be-dangerously-dependent-on-china-for-critical-minerals

## Summary

A parliamentary business select committee warned that the United Kingdom is "dangerously" reliant on China for rare earths and other critical minerals needed for defence, renewable‑energy infrastructure and artificial‑intelligence systems.  Committee chair Liam Byrne said the UK cannot re‑arm, build AI or meet net‑zero targets without securing these inputs, noting that demand for lithium is projected to rise 45‑fold and for rare‑earths 16‑fold by 2030.

The report criticised the government for lacking a transparent strategy and called for a centralised policy, a “critical minerals finance facility”, and a 10‑point plan covering domestic mining, refining, recycling and investment.  A government spokesperson countered that £400 million is being spent to ramp up domestic production and recycling, with goals of meeting 10 % of demand domestically and 20 % through recycling by 2035, and limiting any single‑country share to 60 %.

The committee also highlighted recent supply shocks, such as China’s 2025 rare‑earth cut‑off and EU chip restrictions, and suggested the UK work with G7, European and Indo‑Pacific partners to diversify supply chains.

## Key points

- MPs say the UK is dangerously dependent on China for critical minerals needed for defence, AI and renewable energy.
- Lithium demand projected to rise 45‑fold and rare‑earth demand 16‑fold by 2030, increasing supply risk.
- Government claims £400 million investment to boost domestic production and recycling, aiming for 10% domestic and 20% recycled supply by 2035.

## Why it matters

Supply dependence on China threatens UK defence capabilities, AI development and net‑zero goals, making mineral security a critical national‑security and economic issue.

## Sources

1. [UK found to be ‘dangerously’ reliant on China for critical minerals needed for defence and AI](https://theguardian.com/world/2026/nov/05/uk-dangerously-reliant-on-china-critical-minerals-military-ai-renewable-energy) (The Guardian AI, 2026-11-05)

## Cite

Digest AI, "UK found to be dangerously dependent on China for critical minerals", 5 November 2026, https://digestai.news/story/uk-found-to-be-dangerously-dependent-on-china-for-critical-minerals

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