French President Macron Targets Rare Earth Supply Diversification During Malaysia Visit

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 – French President Emmanuel Macron’s upcoming official visit to Malaysia on November 16 and 17, 2026, will prioritize diversifying France’s supply chains for rare earth elements—critical raw materials essential for manufacturing electric motors and electronic devices.

In a post on social media platform X on Saturday, November 14, Macron stated that his back-to-back visits to Cambodia and Malaysia are geared toward strengthening economic partnerships while protecting industrial output and jobs in France and across its regions.

“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 wrote.

Macron emphasized that establishing multiple sourcing channels would insulate French manufacturers against supply chain bottlenecks.

“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 explained, adding that stronger international partnerships are vital to securing economic resilience and curbing reliance on concentrated suppliers.

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

First French Presidential Visit Since 2017 and Cambodia Itinerary

Macron’s two-day trip to Malaysia—which marks the first visit by a French president to the country since François Hollande’s state visit in March 2017—follows his November 14–16 state visit to Cambodia, where he is also attending the 20th Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh.

In Cambodia, Macron noted that he is accompanied by French business leaders to explore new commercial opportunities, leveraging Francophone ties and existing bilateral economic links.

“In Cambodia, I am coming with business leaders to open up new markets, drawing on the French-speaking world that brings us closer together,” he said.

He also pointed to avenues for French technical expertise to support Cambodia’s infrastructure and agricultural development, highlighting Phnom Penh’s interest in tapping the operational experience of France’s Rungis International Market—the world’s largest fresh produce wholesale market—to establish a domestic wholesale facility.

Visit Dates, Strategic Objectives, and Regional Itinerary

Key diplomatic milestones, industrial priorities, and bilateral focus areas include:

• Malaysia Official Visit Dates: November 16–17, 2026 (first French presidential visit to Malaysia since 2017).
• Core Industrial Priority in Malaysia: Diversifying France’s rare earth supplies used in high-performance magnets for electric motors and electronic devices to safeguard French manufacturing continuity.
• Preceding Cambodia Visit (Nov 14–16): Includes participation in the 20th Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh, business delegation outreach, and sharing Rungis International Market expertise for a fresh produce wholesale facility.
• Strategic Approach: Expanding international supply chain partnerships (“More partners, less dependence”) to boost industrial certainty and resilience.

–NMT