La búsqueda europea de materias primas críticas en América Latina: el choque con China y las oportunidades de diversificación
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35319/lajed.202645592Palabras clave:
Geopolítica, materias primas críticas, UE-América Latina, transición energéticaResumen
El presente artículo analiza la evolución de la dinámica geopolítica en torno a las materias primas críticas (MPC), centrándose en América Latina y en el intento de la Unión Europea (UE) por asegurar el acceso a estos recursos en un contexto de intensificación de la competencia con China. A partir de estadísticas comerciales, tendencias de inversión extranjera y estrategias institucionales, el estudio evalúa el renovado interés de la UE en América Latina a través de los marcos del Global Gateway y las asociaciones de beneficio mutuo (Win-Win Partnerships). Mientras que la huella económica de China en la región está profundamente consolidada mediante su modelo de cooperación Sur-Sur, la UE busca reposicionarse como un socio viable aprovechando sus estándares de gobernanza y sostenibilidad ambiental. El análisis identifica minerales clave —especialmente el litio, el cobre y el plomo— donde la dependencia y la vulnerabilidad son mayores, y donde se requiere urgentemente una diversificación estratégica. En última instancia, el trabajo sostiene que el éxito de la UE dependerá de su capacidad para implementar una estrategia más flexible y pragmática, que logre equilibrar su enfoque normativo con resultados de desarrollo tangibles para sus socios latinoamericanos
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