bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Carol Yang

US President Donald Trump has signed a series of critical mineral agreements during his visit to Asia, in a bid to secure rare earth supplies and reduce dependence on China.
Here, the Post examines how these deals differ in scale, scope and potential impact.
What does the US-Japan framework cover?
On Tuesday, the two countries signed an agreement to “support the supply of raw and processed critical minerals and rare earths crucial to the domestic industries of the United States and Japan”.
While short on details, the framework outlined broad areas for potential cooperation – including joint mapping of mineral sources, investment opportunities and stockpiling.
Both countries plan to act within six months to provide financial backing for selected projects, the document showed – though it did not disclose specific initiatives under consideration.
To address supply chain vulnerabilities, the two sides will also establish a “rapid response group” led by senior energy officials from both countries.
Japan has spent more than a decade trying to reduce its reliance on Chinese rare earths, first investing in Australia-based Lynas Rare Earths in 2011 and in France’s Caremag in March this year.




In July, Japan also announced plans for early 2026 to begin test mining rare-earth-rich seabed mud at depths of 5,000 to 6,000 metres (16,404 to 19,685 feet) off an island southeast of Tokyo – the first project of its kind in the world.
What does the agreement with Malaysia include?
Before heading to Japan, Trump signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with Malaysia and Thailand to secure rare earth supplies and explore potential investment opportunities.
“Malaysia has committed to ensuring no restrictions are imposed on the sale of rare earth magnets to US companies, including by refraining from banning or imposing quotas on exports to the United States of critical minerals or rare earth elements,” according to the White House.
Malaysia sits on about 16.1 million tonnes of rare earth deposits but lacks mining and processing technology. To protect its resources, it prohibits the export of raw rare earths.
On Monday, Malaysia’s energy minister said the ban would remain in place, apply universally and not target any specific country – including the US or China. Foreign investors have instead been invited to participate in downstream processing and value-added activities.
How about the agreement with Thailand?
The MOU with Thailand encourages business partnerships between the two countries in the exploration, development, processing and use of critical minerals. It also commits both sides to sharing information on potential tenders and projects as early as possible.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stressed that the agreement is a gesture of goodwill and poses no concern for relations with China.


He said the deal serves as a preparatory framework in case commercially viable rare earth deposits are found in Thailand, and that it does not grant the US exclusive rights or special privileges.
What additional partnerships has the US pursued?
The US also announced a deal with Australia on October 20 valued at US$8.5 billion.
The agreement focuses on building processing capacity in Australia, with both countries pledging to defend their markets against unfair trade practices.
Each side will invest over US$1 billion in initial projects over the next six months.
Washington has also turned its attention to Greenland since Trump’s re-election – in part because of its mineral resources.
In July, the US Export-Import Bank announced plans to provide up to US$120 million in non-dilutive financing for Critical Metals’ Tanbreez rare earth project in southern Greenland.


Trump tariffs push Swiss pharma CEO to urge price alignment with US

How Trump is hastening the end of American hegemony

Less hostility towards China in new US security strategy is welcome

Democrats bet on ‘betrayal’ in rural heartland as Trump’s ‘America first’ mantra falls short

US-China trade war

Rare earth diplomacy: how Trump is using his Asia tour to secure critical mineral supplies

US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hold up signed documents for a critical minerals deal at Akasaka Palace on October 28 in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: AFP

US signs rare earth MOUs with Malaysia, Thailand. Can it hedge against China?

US President Donald Trump is pictured next to Malaysian national flags before he departs on Air Force One from Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang on October 27. Photo: AFP

US President Donald Trump looks on next to people waving Malaysian national flags before he departs on Air Force One from Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang on October 27. Photo: AFP

How US-Australia rare earth deal aims to loosen China’s grip on critical minerals market

The US has inked a critical minerals deal with Australia, opening an alternative pipeline of highly sought-after metals as China tightens its grip on production. Photo: AFP

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump signed the US-Australia Framework for Securing of Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths during a meeting in Washington on Monday. Photo: AP

To counter China, Trump’s Asia trip to shore up maritime alliances with Japan, South Korea

US President Donald Trump has committed to reviving America’s nearly defunct shipbuilding industry, including through strategic partnerships with allies such as South Korea and Japan. Photo: AFP

Washington has committed to reviving the US’ nearly defunct shipbuilding industry, including through strategic partnerships with allies such as South Korea and Japan. Photo: AFP

US-China trade deal in sight ahead of Trump-Xi summit

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. Photo: Xinhua

Don’t expect China to compromise on rare earth controls at Apec

President Xi Jinping learns about the rare earth production process at a facility in Ganzhou, Jiangxi province on May 20, 2019. Photo: Xinhua

US President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hold a signed agreement on rare earths and critical minerals at the White House, in Washington, on October 20. Photo: Reuters

Workers dig at a rare earths mine in Ganxian, Jiangxi province on December 30, 2010. Photo: Chinatopix via AP

Economy

Global Economy

News

China

Asia

Southeast Asia

Economy, Trade & Business

World

United States & Canada

From Tokyo to Bangkok, Washington is forging new partnerships to counter China’s dominance


From Tokyo to Bangkok, Washington is forging new partnerships to counter China’s dominance.


Rare earth diplomacy: how Trump is using his Asia tour to secure critical mineral supplies

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}From Tokyo to Bangkok, Washington is forging new partnerships to counter China’s dominance

From Tokyo to Bangkok, Washington is forging new partnerships to counter China’s dominance