Trump signs rare earths deal with Japan

U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister
Sanae Takaichi signed a framework agreement for securing the
supply of rare earths, a key sector that China has long dominated

Deal with Japan involves two
sides agreeing to boost supply
and production of rare earths Ð
used in products ranging from
smartphones to fighter jets

Includes plans for co-ordinated
investment and stockpiling of
critical minerals as well as Rapid
Response Group to manage
supply shocks

Deal reaffirms earlier agreements,
such as U.S. imposing 15% tariff
on nearly all imports from Japan Ð
down from 25% that Trump had
initially threatened

In exchange, Japan has pledged
to invest $550 billion in U.S. and
buy more U.S. goods, including in
key sectors like cars, planes,
agriculture and energy

Rare earth mine production, top countries (tonnes, 2024)

China
U.S.
Myanmar
Thailand
Nigeria
Australia
India
Russia

270,000
45,000
31,000
13,000
13,000
13,000
2,900
2,500

Despite being
large producer,
U.S. imports
around 80%
of rare earths
it needs

Total
U.S. imports
(2020-23)

China
70%
Malaysia: 13%
Estonia: 6%
Japan: 5%
Others
6%

Sources: BBC, Reuters, U.S. Geological Survey
Picture: Getty Images
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