US and Australia Forge $8.5 Billion Critical Minerals Alliance to Counter China's Dominance
President Trump and Australian PM Albanese signed an $8.5 billion critical minerals deal at the White House, aiming to secure rare earth supplies and counter China's market control, prompted by Beijing's new export restrictions.
Overview
President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed an $8.5 billion critical minerals deal at the White House, directly countering China's rare earth dominance and stabilizing global supplies.
The agreement aims to enhance cooperation in mining, processing, and supplying rare earths, securing vital resources for US defense manufacturing and reducing reliance on external sources.
This strategic partnership was spurred by Beijing's new requirement for foreign companies to obtain approval for exporting rare-earth magnets, underscoring the need for secure supply chains.
The US and Australia will jointly invest over $3 billion in critical minerals projects within six months, leveraging Australia's significant mining economy and rare earth resources.
The broader AUKUS agreement also advances, with the US selling nuclear submarines to Australia and joint investments in defense infrastructure, strengthening regional security and capabilities.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by consistently emphasizing the critical minerals deal as a strategic move to counter China's dominance and perceived weaponization of rare earth materials. They highlight China's export controls and past market manipulation tactics, using language that underscores the adversarial nature of the economic competition. The collective coverage prioritizes perspectives from US officials and experts who advocate for reducing reliance on China.
Sources (16)
Center (7)
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