The announcement of a deal between the United States and China on rare earth magnets for a diverse range of technologies is a positive step, yet its fragile nature raises concerns for energy and electronics companies, as well as the defense sector. Such a deal would not only alleviate immediate production challenges but also offer a strategic advantage to countries operating in the green transition and defense domains. However, the deal faces significant scrutiny due to the;
(Opposition from: [Scholars argue for a “minerals trust” umbrella program]). This, in turn, raises the need for strategic initiatives to build a long-term international agreement reliant on these critical minerals.?
Additionally, a paper by myself and colleagues explores the feasibility of establishing a “minerals trust,” emphasizing the role of geoscientific and economic factors in governing rare earth採ution.?
Current initiatives aim to capitalize on this deal by leveraging it as a confidence-building measure, ultimately establishing a framework for sustainable mineral supply management.
The G7 recently issued a communication highlighting the Department of Defense’s position on critical minerals. While explicitly excluding China for supply constraints, the document emphasizes the role of the G20, particularly involving the G20 Compact for Africa. China, along with other G20 members like Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Brazil, and South Africa, underscores the importance of a more multilateral approach, as opposed to the existing rigid single-angi每个月ayment arrangement.?
This rhetoric is pivotal in addressing the growing emphasis on sustainable global trade and investment, where_]Single-angi每个月ayment agreements underscore the need for a broader regional focus after the G7 meeting in Canada earlier this month.
The G7’s communication has prompted a_kwargs call for moving conversations on minerals diplomacy to the G20, considering its increased focus on partnerships and innovation.
In particular, the G20 is being discussed as a potential venue for the United States, which has recently mediated a peace agreement with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Furthermore, the U.S. continues its push for investment in Africa’s African Great Lakes, a region of immense resource potential for rare earths, despite concerns about human rights issues and differing levels of influence over stakeholder engagement.
The G7’s communication had previously established the possible need for a deeper diplomatic strategy, with the G20 detailing the;
The rare earths deal between the U.S. and China should be expanded to adopt a systems-level approach, building a minerals trust that prioritizes diversified extraction and potential stockpiles.
Current stockpiling initiatives model both primary and secondary procurement, offering opportunities for recycled sources, but the infrastructure for such recycling quickly falls within the U.S.’s control. Yet, there is a growing recognition of the importance of a circular economy in these movements for —two key areas: enhancing resource recovery and reducing environmental impact.
However, despite this, China remains a dominant player in critical minerals stockpiling, constructed as a resource import base. But this dominance could fragment the industry and hinder diversification efforts, calling for a cooperative;
