# German industry stockpiles critical minerals for China trade talks

*Industrial buyers expand rare earth and gallium reserves as Brussels prepares for October negotiations in Beijing, while US officials confirm a tariff truce extension to January 2027.*

**Published:** September 29, 2026  
**By:** Mina Okoro  
**Section:** Energy & Critical Minerals — Cross-border  
**Format:** Breaking  
**Confidence:** medium  
**Source:** https://eastasiabrief.com/energy-minerals/german-industry-stockpiles-critical-minerals-china-trade-talks-429  
**Publisher:** East Asia Brief (https://eastasiabrief.com/)

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## What to know

- German manufacturers accelerate critical mineral stockpiling ahead of Oct. 8 Beijing talks
- Tradium operates Frankfurt vault holding 300 tonnes of rare earths, equal to 10% of select global supply
- US confirms China extended rare earth export control suspension to Jan. 10, 2027

![A worker stands beside crates of imported mineral materials inside a port warehouse near a docked container ship. (AI-generated image)](https://eastasiabrief.com/media/2026-09-29-73dab383cb1d.webp)
*A worker stands beside crates of imported mineral materials inside a port warehouse near a docked container ship. (AI-generated image)*

German industrial buyers accelerated precautionary stockpiling of Chinese critical minerals on Sept. 28, hedging against supply disruptions if upcoming European Union trade negotiations in Beijing collapse.

Germany relies on China for 65.5% of its rare earth imports, leaving automotive and electronic supply chains exposed to licensing disruptions. Buyers fear Beijing could restrict shipments if bilateral talks end without an agreement.

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Cite as: East Asia Brief, "German industry stockpiles critical minerals for China trade talks," September 29, 2026. https://eastasiabrief.com/energy-minerals/german-industry-stockpiles-critical-minerals-china-trade-talks-429