U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, left, is welcomed by France’s Trade Minister Nicolas Forissier for the G7 trade meeting in Paris, France, May 6, 2026. Aurelien Morissard/Pool via REUTERS
PARIS, May 6 (Reuters) – G7 trade ministers will discuss securing the critical minerals supply chain in Wednesday’s meeting, French trade minister Nicolas Forissier said.
They will discuss rare earths, critical minerals and securing the supply chain so as not to be “hostage to certain countries that dominate the market”, Forissier told reporters before the meeting.
The meeting comes ahead of the main G7 summit in mid-June and after an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump that he would raise tariffs on cars from the European Union to 25% from 15%.
German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said ahead of the meeting 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 labour costs.
Reporting by Elizabeth Howcroft and Makini Brice; Editing by David Goodman, Alexandra Hudson
