EU foreign policy chief warns of security risks from China's Arctic ambitions

The European Union has raised an official alarm over China's strategic designs on the Arctic, framing the remote region as an emerging zone of geopolitical rivalry rather than one of pure scientific cooperation. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas stated on Tuesday that "China's expanding interest in the Arctic poses growing security risks," signaling a decisive shift in Brussels' assessment. Speaking alongside Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, Kallas declared the era of the Arctic as a "quiet corner on the map" is over, asserting it is now "the front line of the global power competition."

From low tension to high-stakes competition

Kallas contrasted the Arctic's recent past—characterized by "low tension and high cooperation" among circumpolar states—with the new reality shaped by Russia's war in Ukraine and the strategic ambitions of external powers. She pointed to the recent US-Greenland crisis as evidence of the region's changed status, where President Donald Trump's push for control highlighted its contested value. While noting China does not yet have sovereign territory in the Arctic, Kallas warned it is "steadily expanding its footprint," showing keen interest in ports and transport hubs as melting ice opens new maritime passages, creating future leverage points.

The dual threat: weaponized routes and resource dominance

The EU chief outlined two primary security concerns stemming from China's Arctic engagement. First, she highlighted the risk of supply chain weaponization, stating that intelligence services warn control over new trade routes could be exploited. "The leverage over the supply chains is something that we have already experienced," she said, alluding to past economic coercion, "if those supply chains or trade routes are weaponized, for that matter, similar risks could emerge in the Arctic." Second, she connected China's dominant position in the global rare earth market to the Arctic's vast deposits of critical raw materials, suggesting control over these resources is a key strategic prize.

A call for European vigilance and strategic autonomy

In response to these perceived threats, Kallas issued a clear directive for the European bloc: "Europe must stay vigilant in this case, and that’s what we are doing." This statement underscores the EU's intent to develop a more robust and independent Arctic policy to protect its economic and security interests. The focus on China's role adds a new layer to the traditional Arctic dynamic, which has largely centered on Russia and the North American powers. For nations like Türkiye, which follows global resource competition and strategic corridor developments, the EU's stance highlights how climate change is directly catalyzing new geopolitical fault lines far from traditional conflict zones, demanding attention from a broader range of international actors.