The entry of the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) into its operational phase in 2026 marks a paradigm shift for the European industrial landscape. As the Union targets 10% domestic extraction, 40% processing, and 25% recycling of its strategic minerals by 2030, the continent is moving from strategic intent to industrial execution. In this context, France and Nordics cooperation on rare earths emerges as a strategic lever: by combining world-class geosciences, a modernized regulatory framework, and advanced refining capabilities, France offers Nordics a bankable pathway to turn raw materials resources into “EU‑ready” strategic products.
And to think, the US could’ve had a piece of that if we didn’t lead with, “We’re just gonna take your country”.