Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to ensure that existing contracts for critical minerals with the People’s Republic of China are honoured by that country.

The Critical Minerals Strategy recognises that China dominates several key critical mineral supply chains. Of the 18 critical minerals (defined by the UK criticality assessment), China is the largest producer for 12 of those minerals, either as a raw material or refined product. We need to continue to engage with China to achieve our objectives, including to improve environmental, social and governance performance in critical mineral supply chains, while continuing to strive for diversified and resilient supply chains. We will stand up for our values, protect our national security and hold China to its international commitments and promises.

We will publish a refresh of the strategy before the end of the year which will take account of changing geopolitical dynamics.