Thu, 05 Feb 2026

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 US launches plan to tackle China's critical minerals dominance

The event was attended by representatives of more than 50 countries, the White House said.

* The US has launched an effort to form a trade zone for critical minerals, including rare earths and lithium, which are key to making electronics and other products.
* The goal is to reduce China's dominance in the industry and create more diverse sources of supply.
* Delegates from over 10 countries attended the first Critical Minerals Ministerial event, hosted by the US State Department.
* Vice President JD Vance said that foreign supply of critical minerals is flooding global markets, making it hard for other countries to secure funding for mining projects.
* The US plans to use tariffs and investments to boost domestic production and reduce dependence on Chinese imports.
* Investments have already been made in several companies, including MP Materials and Lithium Americas.
* The US, Japan, and the European Commission are developing coordinated trade policies to collectively address access to critical minerals.
* China has a "chokehold" on rare earths and has tightened its grip on exports in recent months.
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