95% of the EU's rare earth supplies come from outside Europe.

Omissions

• The MEP did not specify whether the figure refers to value or weight, nor which year's data is cited. The claim appears more consistent with older data (circa 2020) than with the most recent 2025 Eurostat figures.
• Eurostat 2025 data shows Norway — a European country — supplying 15% of EU REE+ imports by value, which directly reduces the non-European share below the claimed 95% threshold in value terms.
• The Eurostat data refers to 'REE+' (rare earth elements plus related products), which is a broader category than the 'terres rares' (rare earths) mentioned by the MEP.
• The Eurostat data was published after the session date, but the data it contains (2025 trade data) predates the session.

Sources

• PrimaryEurostat Statistics ExplainedThe bulk of EU imports of REE+ originated from China (40%), followed by Norway (15%) and Malaysia (11%). Measured in value, in 2025, the top 3 origins of REE+ imports, accounted for two-thirds of EU imports. Measured in weight the share of the top 3 was 96%.
• SecondaryDelors CentreIn 2020, over 98% of the EU's rare earths imports came from China and 78% of its lithium needs were sourced from Chile.