The United States and Japan have agreed to a framework to ensure the supply of raw and processed vital minerals and critical rare earths for their domestic industries.
The non-binding document, signed earlier this week by US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, outlines a strategic plan for investments and policies focused on building resilient and secure networks for mining, separating and processing ore.
Within the next six months, both countries plan to move to select and finance projects that can deliver products to buyers in the United States, Japan and other unspecified countries. The framework also includes the organization of a Bilateral Mines, Minerals and Metals Investment Summit to discuss investment priorities with stakeholders.
The two countries have committed to establishing a US-Japan critical mineral supply security rapid response group led by the US Secretary of Energy and Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. The joint group prioritizes specific minerals, identifies supply vulnerabilities and develops plans for faster delivery.
Other aspects of the framework include exploring the possibility of mutual storage of minerals, investing in mineral recycling technologies and cooperation with new authorities that are aligned with each country’s national security laws.
Tom Mornhout, a professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, wrote in an article: “The new agreement will help prevent the United States and Japan from pursuing parallel and uncoordinated strategies. Each country, along with Canada, Australia and the European Union, is spending billions of dollars rebuilding the same parts of the supply chain that have been shattered.
Trump met with Takaichi in Tokyo days before his planned meeting in South Korea with President Xi Jinping of China, a leading producer of many vital minerals. Creating a supply chain that is less dependent on the US trade rival is a national security priority of the Trump administration. Japan, which imports about 60 percent of its rare earths from China, has been trying to reduce its reliance on the country for more than a decade.
Last week, Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a separate framework for a multibillion-dollar initiative to develop the supply chain for critical minerals. This agreement includes public and private joint investment in the extraction and processing of essential minerals.
Unlike Japan, which is not a major producer of strategic minerals, Australia mines more than 40 minerals It is classified as critical by the US Geological Survey. China is one of the major buyers of Australian ore.
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