A prolonged Iran war is draining US munitions, critical minerals and industrial capacity, and weakening the country’s defence base and military presence in Asia as rivalry with China intensifies, observes academic Hao Nan. 


Iran War: US Military Equipment Reliant on Rare Earth Metals

The United States has announced a $1.3 billion investment in Pakistan, focusing on rare earths and critical minerals. The move brings renewed attention to the Reko Diq copper-gold mine as Washington looks to secure strategic mineral supply chains.

US Announces $1.3 Billion Investment in Pakistan, Reko Diq Copper Gold Mine In Focus

Japan has launched a deep-sea mining mission as it steps up efforts to reduce dependence on China for rare earth minerals. A government-backed research vessel has departed for Minamitori Island, about 1,900 kilometres southeast of Tokyo. This comes as finance ministers from G7 meet on Monday to discuss critical minerals reliance amid China curbs. 


Japan tests world’s first deep-sea rare earth extraction

Japan has sent its drilling-equipped research vessel Chikyu from Shimizu port to conduct a month-long mission to probe rare-earth-rich seabed mud near Minamitori Island, a remote coral atoll about 1,900 km southeast of Tokyo, marking the world’s first continuous attempt to lift rare earth sludge from around 6 km deep onto a ship as Tokyo moves to reduce reliance on China for critical minerals amid tightening exports.

Japan $250 Million Seabed Project To Break China's Rare Earth Grip

A mining company has made a startling discovery in Utah, finding 16 rare earth elements inside the clay.  A total of 16  rare earth metals have reportedly been found at the site, which can shift the economic balance in favour of the US.

16 rare earth metals worth $120 billion discovered in Utah: 'A landmark moment'

India has launched a landmark move to transform the country’s rare earth manufacturing landscape. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved an 816 million dollar scheme to promote the manufacturing of rare earth permanent magnets or REPM.
REPM are critical components used across electric vehicles, renewable energy, aerospace and defence.

India’s big push for rare earth magnet self-reliance

Pakistan-US rare earths trade has begun in earnest, couple of months after Asim Munir showed a case full of stones to Trump. What are the key deals? Should India worry?



Asim Munir showed Trump those stones. Now, Pak-US rare earths trade is on. Should this worry India?

China’s new rare earth export curbs could target US military end use, tightening licences for defence-linked firms, according to US media reports. The move, which will reportedly kick in from December, could delay American weapons production and disrupt supply chains.


Did China just put a chokehold on US defence? How its rare earth end use restrictions could hit American military hard

In a major breakthrough for India’s manufacturing sector, four Indian companies — Continental India, DE Diamond, Hitachi, and Jay Ushin — have become the first to receive licenses to import China’s tightly-controlled rare earth magnets.
These critical materials power electric vehicles, smartphones, wind turbines, and defence technologies: but the imports come with strict conditions: the magnets cannot be exported to the US or used for defence production.


Rare Earths Magnets: 3 Indian Firms Get Import License From China

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, a surprise development with the potential to reshape the tone of U.S.-China relations amid ongoing tensions.
The meeting comes at a time of economic rivalry, global security concerns, and shifting alliances in the Indo-Pacific region.


Trump says confident of reaching 'comprehensive deal' with China's Xi

President Trump welcomed Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to the White House for their first official meeting as both leaders focus on defense, critical minerals, AUKUS, and trade relations. Discussions also address China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific, with both nations seeking to strengthen their partnership.


US-Australia sign deal: Rare earth minerals agreement valued at 8.5 billion Dollars 

In a major development, US President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a major agreement on rare earths and critical minerals.
The deal, worth $8.5 billion, also ties closely with the aukus defence pact, as both nations move to counter china’s dominance in the Indo-Pacific.

United States and Australia sign new deal

Trump Says Australia Will Get U.S. Submarines, Deal 'Moving Rapidly'

Trump, Albanese sign critical minerals deal to curb China's grip on global supply

While tensions flare with the U.S., China is charting its course for the next five years. Chinese President Xi Jinping and the country’s top leaders, known as the Central Committee, will meet next week from Monday to Thursday for a planning meeting called the “Fourth Plenum.”


China: Xi to prepare political & economic blueprint ahead of Trump meet 

Chinese president to chair fourth plenum, political & economic roadmap on agenda

"China's announcement of export control measures on rare earths and related items is a legitimate action by the Chinese government to refine its export control system in accordance with laws and regulations," a spokesperson with the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Sunday, in response to a question over the China's considerations with the Thursday announcement on imposing export control measures on related rare earth items.


Trump tariff war: How has China leveraged its control over rare earths?

Trump tariff war: Beijing criticises US 'double standards', defends rare earth export curbs 

The Spain Discussions Between U.S. And Chinese Officials Have Paved the Way for the First Call Since June Between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping on Friday. Among the Many Topics Up for Discussion During This Week's Call Are TikTok, Boeing Planes, Rare Earth Magnets, and Taiwan.
In This Next Report, We Decode the U.S. And China Relationship Under Trump’s Second Term in Office.

US-China relationship under Trump 2.0, Trump & Xi to discuss TikTok deal on Friday

The plan aims to advance and scale mining, processing, and manufacturing technologies vital to industries ranging from electric vehicle batteries to semiconductors, sectors currently dominated by China and other foreign suppliers.

Trump administration unveils nearly $1 billion plan to boost US critical minerals supply

China not only mines a majority of the world’s rare earths, but it also controls as much as 90 per cent of global refining capacity, turning it into a chokepoint for the global defence industry.

China tightens grip on critical minerals, disrupting Western defence supply chains

By transforming a once chaotic rare earth sector into a state controlled powerhouse, China now wields strategic control over materials vital to EVs, wind turbines, and electronics, intensifying global dependence amid rising trade tensions.

How China turned rare earths into a powerful geopolitical tool

At the London discussions, Chinese negotiators reportedly linked progress on easing restrictions on rare-earth magnets with the longstanding US controls on AI chip exports.

US-China trade truce leaves rare earths issue unresolved

While the US seeks clarity on rare earths and export controls, China is pushing for a rollback of technology restrictions and assurances over market access.

Rare earths, visas and chips take the center stage as US-China resume trade talks in London

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