Macron’s Malaysia visit to focus on diversifying rare earth supplies

French president Emmanuel Macron’s two-day official visit to Malaysia, which starts tomorrow, will focus on diversifying France’s sources of rare earth supplies, which are essential for manufacturing electric motors and electronic devices.

In a post on X, Macron said his visits to Cambodia and Malaysia were aimed at strengthening economic partnerships and safeguarding jobs and industries in France and across the region, Bernama reported.

“In Malaysia, I am coming in particular to diversify our supplies of rare earths. We rarely talk about them, yet they are essential to making the magnets used in certain electric motors and electronic devices,” he said.

Macron said it would help French manufacturers reduce their vulnerability to supply chain disruptions by having multiple suppliers from different countries.

“For our factories, having several sources of supply means reducing the risk of having to shut down a production line for lack of parts. It also means being able to invest and produce in France with greater certainty about the future,” he added.

Macron also stressed on the need to form stronger international partnerships to ensure economic resilience and reduce dependence on limited sources of critical materials.

“More partners, less dependence. Our agreements open doors. Language, culture and friendship keep them open. That is good for our countries,” he said on X.

This will be Macron’s second trip to Malaysia since 2017 but his first as president.