Like the U.S., Europe is also feeling the pressure to keep China sweet in order to maintain supplies of rare earth elements, which are vital for its strategic industries in the region such as auto production, green energy and defense.

Europe is heavily dependent on China for supplies of the world's 17 rare earth elements and has been looking to calm stormy waters with Beijing over supplies, while looking for alternative sources of critical minerals — including in its own back yard.

That's a long process, however, and for now, Europe is as vulnerable as other major consumers of rare earths, and particularly the U.S., when it comes to Beijing's ability to turn the tap off on supplies.

Officials from Germany and the Netherlands are in Beijing this week for talks with their Chinese counter

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