This week, U.S. President Donald Trump’s Asia tour ahead of the APAC summit in South Korea captured headlines, with major developments in trade and critical minerals taking center stage. At the summit, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly made significant progress on trade issues, including rare earths.
Rare Earths: China Suspends Tightening of Trade Restrictions
At their first meeting since 2019, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly made progress on several key trade issues, including rare earths, according to official statements. China’s planned tightening of export controls, announced in October, will reportedly be suspended for one year. However, the restrictions introduced in April remain in effect, meaning that supply chains for the affected rare earth elements are expected to remain tight.
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U.S. and Japan to Deepen Cooperation on Critical Minerals
U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi signed a framework agreement in Tokyo on Tuesday to deepen cooperation on the mining and processing of critical minerals, including rare earth elements. The deal aims to secure supplies for key industries and diversify supply chains.
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Lynas Reports Record Quarter, Expands Japan Supply Chain
Australian rare earths producer Lynas Rare Earths Ltd has reported record quarterly results for the three months ended 30 September 2025. The company’s gross sales revenue rose 18 per cent from the previous quarter, while total rare earth oxide production increased to 3,993 tonnes. However, despite the record performance, the results fell short of analysts’ expectations.
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Securing Raw Materials: Von der Leyen Unveils RESourceEU
The European Union is currently developing a package of measures aimed at improving the supply of raw materials for industry. Key points were presented by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last weekend at the Berlin Global Dialogue. Among other measures, the RESourceEU plan envisions a rapid expansion of the circular economy.
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