The European Commission is creating an emergency task force to prepare for potential crises including a renewed trade conflict with China, a move that reflects Brussels' growing strategic anxiety, reports Beijing's Global Times.

The task force will be staffed by officials from industry, trade, finance, aid and economic departments, as well as the central unit under EC President Ursula von der Leyen. It will explore alternative sources of rare earths and may use EU funding to maintain supplies.

Analysts told the Global Times the mechanism shows the EU increasingly views economic ties with China through a risk-management lens. Wang Xiaoli of Guangdong University said such an approach prioritises defensive measures over cooperation. Jian Junbo of Fudan University added that the role of the task force could remain limited given the need for member state coordination.

Rare earths are central to the dispute. China accounts for 66 per cent of global mined supply and 88 per cent of refined output. Last November, China's Ministry of Commerce suspended some export control measures until November 10, stressing that controls are consistent with international practice and aimed at safeguarding peace and stability.

Chinese officials said European companies' demand will be safeguarded if they comply with regulations, and a "fast-track" channel has been set up to ease procedures. Despite recent dialogue, Brussels is preparing a diversification law obliging companies to reduce reliance on single suppliers.

Ms Wang warned that if EU measures shift from diversification to restrictions targeting Chinese firms, cooperation could be undermined and investment deterred. Jian said China would take necessary steps to protect its interests if unfair restrictions are imposed.

EU trade spokesman Olof Gill said the Commission is intensifying structured dialogue with China. A joint statement after consultations in June noted positive results from the Export Control Dialogue and pledged further efforts to stabilise global supply chains.