Against a backdrop of shifting global power dynamics, France’s aerospace sector has raised fresh concerns about growing political influence over critical supply chains. Industry leaders warned that rare earth materials remain a major vulnerability, even as trade tensions between the U.S. and China show signs of easing.
On Thursday, Olivier Andries, president of France’s aerospace industry association and CEO of an engine manufacturing firm, said nearly 90% of the sector’s rare earth requirements are sourced from China. This dependence, he noted, comes at a time of continued trade friction between Beijing and Washington.
“There is a trend towards the weaponisation of the supply chain, towards using the dependency on critical supplies to create a geopolitical advantage. That is particularly the case for rare earths which is a very sensitive topic,” he said.
The global aerospace industry has so far avoided the worst effects of the U.S.-led tariff conflict, largely because the supply chains of major aircraft makers are deeply interconnected across borders. However, concerns remain over the steady availability of specialised minerals used in modern products such as jet engines.
Andries said the challenge is not limited to supply volumes of rare earths like samarium. He also pointed to what he described as “intrusive” questions from Chinese authorities about the final destination of these materials, drawing parallels with extra-territorial practices long used by the U.S. He added that the issue needs to be addressed at a European level.
Speaking at an industry briefing, Andries also expressed concern over France’s continued lack of a domestic budget for 2026. He said lawmakers had “lost direction” as parliament returned from its year-end break. French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is currently making another attempt to pass the budget after emergency legislation.
Despite political uncertainty, Andries said France’s defence spending remains on track as Europe increases military budgets under pressure from the U.S. and amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
On the future of the Franco-German-Spanish FCAS fighter jet programme, which has been affected by disputes between manufacturers, he said: “There is a very strong political will at the highest level in France and Germany to go ahead. But for things to advance, you also need to have agreements and the manufacturers accepting to work together”.
France’s Dassault has previously criticised Germany’s decision to purchase U.S. F-35 jets alongside support for European projects.
Commenting on renewed remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump about Greenland, Andries said such statements could intensify debates over reliance on foreign weapons.
“These rather uninhibited messages only increase the growing awareness in Europe that while we are of course partners and allies of the United States, we have to cultivate our own sovereignty and not totally entrust our future to another state,” he said.
The political dispute over the Danish territory has unsettled NATO allies and gained urgency after Trump followed through on threats against Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Andries urged French suppliers to invest in preparation for higher European defence spending and the next generation of aircraft.
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