President Donald Trump on Monday signed a new bilateral agreement with Japan aimed at deepening cooperation in the processing and production of critical minerals — a move underscoring the growing urgency among U.S. allies to secure access to key resources essential for modern technology and defense industries.
The agreement, signed alongside Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, pledges to “intensify cooperative efforts” between the two countries in processing critical minerals and rare earth elements. These materials are vital components in products ranging from smartphones and electric vehicle batteries to semiconductors and military equipment.
Under the terms of the deal, the United States and Japan will begin providing financial and logistical support for mining and processing projects within six months, according to a joint statement released by both governments. The initiative is expected to target strategic projects both domestically and in partner nations, with a focus on reducing reliance on Chinese supply chains.
“This agreement marks a new era in our partnership,” Trump said at the signing ceremony in Tokyo. “Together, the United States and Japan are taking bold steps to secure our energy and technological independence.”
Prime Minister Takaichi echoed that sentiment, calling the deal “a cornerstone of the next generation of U.S.-Japan cooperation.” She described the agreement as part of a broader effort to foster what both leaders termed “a new golden age for the U.S.-Japan alliance.”
The Tokyo signing comes just two days after the U.S. finalized similar agreements with Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia, each focused on developing regional networks for mining, refining, and exporting critical minerals. The flurry of deals highlights Washington’s broader strategy to build resilient supply chains across Asia amid escalating resource competition.
The renewed focus on critical minerals follows China’s announcement earlier this month that it would tighten export controls on certain rare earth materials — a move that sent ripples through global markets. Analysts say the restrictions are likely to be a key topic when Trump meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week in South Korea.
Critical minerals have become a flashpoint in geopolitical and economic debates, as countries race to secure supplies of materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel — all essential for renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles. The U.S. currently depends heavily on imports for many of these resources, a vulnerability that both Republican and Democratic administrations have sought to address.
“The message from Washington and Tokyo is clear,” said Dr. Naomi Sato, a trade and energy policy expert at the University of Tokyo. “They want to ensure that the transition to cleaner technologies does not depend on a single country’s supply chain.”
While specific project details have yet to be released, U.S. officials say the agreement will prioritize joint research, technology sharing, and investments in refining facilities. Industry observers expect the partnership to also involve private sector collaboration from leading U.S. and Japanese mining and energy firms.
