On October 20, 2025, the United States and Australia formalized a framework aimed at strengthening their cooperation in the mining and processing of critical minerals and rare earths. The agreement was signed in Washington, D.C., by U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
According to the document, both countries recognize that rare earths and critical minerals are vital for advanced technologies. The agreement states that these resources are crucial to commercial and defense industries in both nations.
The two governments plan to use economic policy tools and coordinated investments to promote diversified, liquid, and fair markets for these materials. Their goal is to improve resilience and security in supply chains related to mining, separation, and processing of critical minerals and rare earths.
The framework also outlines an intention to build on existing domestic mining operations while adding new capacity expected to become available in 2026.
"Therefore, the Participants have reached the following understanding on a common policy framework for the mining and processing of critical minerals and rare earths," the agreement states.
The signing took place in Washington, D.C., with President Trump representing the United States and Prime Minister Albanese representing Australia.
