G7 trade talks target critical minerals as US-EU tariff tensions persist

The G7, or Group of Seven, trade ministers are scheduled for a highly important meeting in Paris on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

The purpose of this meeting is to seek common ‌ground on securing critical mineral supplies that are dominated by China, but fresh U.S. tariff threats against European Union-made cars risk straining unity.

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Foreign Trade Minister Nicolas Forissier said France wants critical minerals supplies to be among the most concrete deliverables during its G7 presidency as ministers prepare for a leaders' summit in mid-June.

"I believe we will make very concrete progress on rare earths and critical minerals, securing our supply chains and ensuring we are not held hostage by certain countries," he said.

Officials involved in the discussions said there was broad agreement on the need to reduce reliance on China, but significant differences remained about how to do so.

G7 unity is also being tested by comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said Washington would raise tariffs on EU-made cars to 25% from 15%, arguing that Brussels was not complying with a trade deal that was agreed upon in ‌Turnberry, Scotland, last year.

German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said that she was in intensive talks with U.S. officials over the tariffs.

Germany's export-dependent automotive sector has already been under strain from weakening demand in China, slower global growth, and higher input and labor costs.

EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said he and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer had discussed the Turnberry agreement at a meeting in Paris on Tuesday and that he would be heading to the European Parliament, where negotiations on EU legislation related to the trade deal will take place later on Wednesday.

"We both clearly concluded that it's important to respect the deal from Turnberry from both sides, so we have to deliver on what was promised in Scotland," Sefcovic said.

The trade ministers are also expected to discuss industrial overcapacity—China being the main source—and reform of the World Trade Organization, Forissier said.

G7 or Group of Seven:

The G7, or Group of Seven, is an intergovernmental political and economic forum consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States; additionally, the European Union EU is a "non-enumerated member."