US Proposes Critical Mineral Trading Bloc to Counter China's Dominance
A new critical mineral trading bloc has been proposed by US Vice President JD Vance, aiming to loosen China's control over rare earth mineral manufacturing and give the US access to industrial might. The proposal comes at a time when tensions between the US and its allies are high, following US President Donald Trump's unsolicited attempts to acquire Greenland from Denmark.
The critical minerals sector is crucial for producing key products such as smartphones and cars, with China dominating 70% of global rare earth mining. The US, however, trails behind with only 12%. As a result, the US has been negotiating trade deals with countries like Ukraine, Australia, Japan, and those in Central and Southeast Asia to secure access to these minerals.
The new trading bloc would bring together allies and partners to guarantee American access to critical minerals while expanding production across the zone. Vance said that this initiative would provide an opportunity for self-reliance, allowing the US to rely on its own industrial might rather than relying on other countries.
Additionally, the US plans to unveil a pricing floor system to unlock private investment in mining and processing projects that have struggled to compete with cheaper Chinese supply. This approach could reshape global supply chains but would also raise costs for manufacturers in the short term, escalating trade tensions with Beijing.
China has maintained its dominance in the sector due to export controls on rare earths, causing production delays and shutdowns for auto manufacturers in Europe and the US. The country's leverage was on full display when Trump agreed to trim tariffs on Chinese goods in exchange for Beijing's pledge to hold off on stricter restrictions on rare earths exports.
The proposal has been met with skepticism by some experts, citing the risks of escalating trade tensions and potential backlash from traditional allies. However, Vance's announcement comes as a significant step forward in the US push to counter China's dominance in the critical minerals sector.
A new critical mineral trading bloc has been proposed by US Vice President JD Vance, aiming to loosen China's control over rare earth mineral manufacturing and give the US access to industrial might. The proposal comes at a time when tensions between the US and its allies are high, following US President Donald Trump's unsolicited attempts to acquire Greenland from Denmark.
The critical minerals sector is crucial for producing key products such as smartphones and cars, with China dominating 70% of global rare earth mining. The US, however, trails behind with only 12%. As a result, the US has been negotiating trade deals with countries like Ukraine, Australia, Japan, and those in Central and Southeast Asia to secure access to these minerals.
The new trading bloc would bring together allies and partners to guarantee American access to critical minerals while expanding production across the zone. Vance said that this initiative would provide an opportunity for self-reliance, allowing the US to rely on its own industrial might rather than relying on other countries.
Additionally, the US plans to unveil a pricing floor system to unlock private investment in mining and processing projects that have struggled to compete with cheaper Chinese supply. This approach could reshape global supply chains but would also raise costs for manufacturers in the short term, escalating trade tensions with Beijing.
China has maintained its dominance in the sector due to export controls on rare earths, causing production delays and shutdowns for auto manufacturers in Europe and the US. The country's leverage was on full display when Trump agreed to trim tariffs on Chinese goods in exchange for Beijing's pledge to hold off on stricter restrictions on rare earths exports.
The proposal has been met with skepticism by some experts, citing the risks of escalating trade tensions and potential backlash from traditional allies. However, Vance's announcement comes as a significant step forward in the US push to counter China's dominance in the critical minerals sector.