JAPAN and the United States are finalising a joint document to bolster cooperation on rare earths and other critical minerals, as both nations seek to safeguard economic security and reduce dependence on China, according to a report by the Asahi Shimbun on Tuesday.
The agreement, to be signed later today during a meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and US President Donald Trump, is intended to reinforce supply chain resilience following Beijing’s decision in October to tighten export controls on rare earths — materials essential to products ranging from smartphones to fighter jets.
Citing Japanese government officials, the newspaper said the accord underscores a shared commitment by Tokyo and Washington to diversify sources of critical minerals and prevent disruptions in industries vital to national security and advanced technology.
In response to China’s dominance in global rare earth production, the White House had initially considered imposing a 100 per cent additional tariff on Chinese exports.
However, Washington and Beijing reached a preliminary trade framework on Sunday that could temporarily halt both the planned US tariffs and China’s export restrictions on critical minerals.
US and Chinese officials are set to formalise the understanding when President Trump meets Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea. - October 28, 2025
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