Politics Germany focuses on raw materials partnership with Australia
Germany and Australia want to further expand their cooperation in the import of critical raw materials from "Down Under". "Your country is an important partner for us in diversifying our supply chains," said Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul after a meeting with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong in the capital Canberra. "Many critical raw materials such as lithium are extracted here, and we are very interested in further expanding our cooperation in the raw materials sector, especially in strategically important minerals."
05.02.2026, 07:03
SDA
Australia operates the world's largest lithium mine
One example of this can be found south of Perth on the west coast, where the world's largest hard rock lithium mine is operated in the town of Greenbushes. The "white gold" is used in modern technologies from electric car batteries to smartphones. The mine covers more than 2,000 hectares and supplies around 20 percent of the world's output. The country also has huge deposits of rare earths such as neodymium and terbium, which are required for the production of high-performance magnets.
The partnership in the exploitation of mineral deposits comes with a certain price tag, admitted Wadephul. "We also have to be prepared to put our money where our mouth is because the development of these raw materials is sometimes costly," he emphasized. "But at the same time, we know that Germany in particular is urgently dependent on such raw materials."
New attempt at a free trade agreement
The CDU politician said that it was also important in this context to conclude the planned free trade agreement between the EU and Australia quickly. Following the temporary collapse of talks in 2023 due to disputes over agricultural imports, new negotiations are currently underway. If he had his way, an agreement should be reached as quickly as possible, said Wadephul - "preferably this year".
Australia's Foreign Minister Wong also expressed her hope that such an agreement between "like-minded countries" would be concluded in the near future - "especially at a time when we are experiencing not only challenges, but also profound changes and upheavals worldwide". Wadephul emphasized: "We believe that all trade barriers must be dismantled and we believe that the European Union and also Australia would gain from such an agreement."
