Brussels is increasingly aligning with the Trump administration's view on the importance of securing conflict-free critical material supplies for an impending rearmament supercycle. Western defense manufacturers face risks from continued reliance on China, as Chinese export restrictions have already disrupted supply chains and could delay deliveries. Internal EU documents identify Vietnam as a potential source of critical materials outside of China's influence. The EU acknowledges that Europe cannot afford to ignore Vietnam's abundant reserves of rare earth metals and tungsten given the urgent need for rearmament and de-risking. Chinese export restrictions last year disrupted European supply chains for crucial military equipment, highlighting vulnerabilities in the West's reliance on specific sources. The West is realizing that increased defense budgets alone are insufficient to address critical material shortages, necessitating the urgent securing of alternative supply chains. Vietnam possesses significant deposits of critical minerals, though its exports to Europe have primarily been limited to tungsten and antimony, both used in weapons manufacturing. The EU is exploring stronger relations with Vietnam to establish an alternative to China, particularly after Beijing's disruptive export restrictions demonstrated the need for diversification. The European Commission is currently assessing potential cooperation with Vietnam in the critical raw materials sector. Europe's rearmament supercycle is projected to begin next year and continue through the end of the decade, emphasizing the need for reliable suppliers of these essential materials.