French trade minister says France must avoid becoming 'hostage' on critical minerals

This picture shows bags containing a mixture of rare earth elements during a visit of the facility of Australian mining firm Lynas in eastern Malaysia's Gebeng on April 8, 2026. ARIF KARTONO / AFP

France and "like-minded countries" must work together to avoid becoming "hostages" on critical minerals used in everything from phones to solar panels, Paris's trade minister said Thursday, April 23.

Speaking in Sydney, Nicolas Forissier told journalists that France was working to expand cooperation with Australia, among the world's top five producers of lithium, cobalt and manganese, essential for goods like rechargeable batteries and aircraft jet engines. He said democratic nations needed to avoid a situation in which critical minerals "could be weaponized again in this very uncertain and violent trade and economic world." "We have to organize things so that it's secure," he said.

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