Trump strikes Asia rare earth supply deals | JQJO

On an Asia tour, US President Donald Trump unveiled a spate of rare‑earth agreements with Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, seeking to diversify supplies away from China ahead of talks with Xi Jinping. The deals—some non‑binding and short on detail—follow an $8.5bn cooperation pact with Australia to expand processing capacity. Washington touts coordinated investment, stockpiles and preferential export rules, but analysts warn breaking Beijing’s grip will take years, heavy capital and stricter environmental compliance. Recent Chinese export curbs have rattled manufacturers, underscoring fragile supply chains despite new commitments.