"New golden age of the alliance": Japan and US sign a rare earth deal

President Donald Trump, left, and Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shake hands during a signing ceremony at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. Source: AP / Mark Schiefelbein/AP/AAP Image

United States President Donald Trump and new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi have signed a rare earths deal. The framework agreement aims to increase co-operation and investment to secure the supply of critical minerals and rare earths through mining and processing, as the U-S seeks to break free of its reliance on trade with China.

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Published 28 October 2025 5:01pm

Presented by Yumi Oba

Source: SBS

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United States President Donald Trump and new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi have signed a rare earths deal. The framework agreement aims to increase co-operation and investment to secure the supply of critical minerals and rare earths through mining and processing, as the U-S seeks to break free of its reliance on trade with China.

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