What to know about the critical minerals trading bloc the U.S. wants to build with allies

"The Trump administration announced Wednesday that it wants to create a critical minerals trading bloc with its allies and partners, using tariffs to maintain minimum prices and defend against China's stranglehold on the key elements needed for everything from fighter jets to smartphones. Vice President JD Vance said the U.S.-China trade war over the past year exposed how dependent most countries are on the critical minerals that Beijing largely dominates, so collective action is needed now to give the West self-reliance.""

"The Republican administration is making bold moves to shore up supplies of critical minerals needed for electric vehicles, missiles and other high-tech products after China choked off their flow in response to President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs last year. While the two global powers reached a truce to pull back on the high import taxes and stepped-up rare earth restrictions, China's limits remain tighter than they were before Trump took office."

"The critical minerals meeting comes at a time of significant tensions between Washington and major allies over President Donald Trump's territorial ambitions, including Greenland, and his moves to exert control over Venezuela and other nations. His bellicose and insulting rhetoric directed at U.S. partners has led to frustration and anger.The conference, however, is an indication that the United States is seeking to build relationships when it comes to issues it deems key national security priorities."

The United States intends to form a critical minerals trading bloc with allies and partners, using tariffs to maintain minimum prices and counter China's dominance of essential minerals. U.S. leaders say the recent U.S.-China trade war revealed global dependence on Beijing-controlled mineral supplies and that collective action is needed to bolster Western self-reliance. The administration aims to shore up supplies for electric vehicles, missiles and high-tech products after China restricted flows in retaliation to prior U.S. tariffs. The initiative seeks to strengthen partnerships around national security priorities despite broader tensions with some allies.

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