Lloyd Austin

Mark Milley

Mike Minihan

Jacob Thornburg

Michael Brenner

Finian Cunningham

Scott Ritter

Ray Dalio

Kevin Rudd

Zhao Tong

Stanislaw Koziej

Robert S. Ross

Charles C. Krulak

Michael C. Horowitz

Joseph S. Nye

Qin Gang

Frank Kendall III

Thomas L. Friedman

Marco J. Lyons

"I argue that war is unlikely to occur due to the deep economic ties underlying the great power politics between the two countries."

"War with either [Russia or China] is neither inevitable nor imminent."

"As things currently stand, the US is not prepared to fight and win a war with China over Taiwan."

"A war between the US and China today is no more inevitable than was war between the rising US and the declining United Kingdom a century ago."

"[T]he tension between the United States and China will grow, and competition will intensify; it is inevitable. War, however, is not."

"War is a risk, but it is not inevitable."

"The risk of a military conflict is very serious."

"The smallest misstep by either side [Taipei and Beijing] could ignite a U.S.-China war."

"China is preparing for a war and specifically for a war with the United States."

"The most proximate potential timeframe for war is in the next two years."

"My gut tells me we [the US] will fight [with China] in 2025."

Will There Be a US-China War?

Anthony Albanese

Adam Bandt

Peter Dutton

David Littleproud

"It is time to cancel AUKUS and start acting in our country's own interests."

"I've made it clear as nations with different histories, political systems and values, we will cooperate with China where we can, disagree where we must and engage in the national interest."

"Anthony Albanese is a weak leader who can’t stand up to bullies."

The Liberals will "[p]rogress the Coalition-initiated AUKUS partnership, the greatest defence initiative in a generation."

Australian Election: Where Do Candidates Stand on Foreign Policy?

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and U.S. President Donald Trump signed a critical minerals agreement at the White House on Monday, marking their first formal bilateral meeting after previous phone conversations and a brief encounter at the UN General Assembly.

BBC News

Newsmax

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and U.S. President Donald Trump signed a critical minerals agreement at the White House on Monday, marking their first formal bilateral meeting after previous phone conversations and a brief encounter at the UN General Assembly.

The agreement involves joint investment of more than $3 billion over six months, with Australia and the U.S. each contributing $1 billion for immediately available projects, aimed at unlocking an $8.5 billion pipeline of critical minerals projects to reduce dependence on Chinese rare earth supplies.

The New York Times

The Sydney Morning Herald

Daily Wire

The agreement involves joint investment of more than $3 billion over six months, with Australia and the U.S. each contributing $1 billion for immediately available projects, aimed at unlocking an $8.5 billion pipeline of critical minerals projects to reduce dependence on Chinese rare earth supplies.

Australia possesses 43 of the 55 critical minerals and produces 33 percent of the world's lithium, while the U.S. sourced approximately 70 percent of its rare-earth compounds and metal imports from China between 2020 and 2023.

Al Jazeera

The Washington Examiner

Australia possesses 43 of the 55 critical minerals and produces 33 percent of the world's lithium, while the U.S. sourced approximately 70 percent of its rare-earth compounds and metal imports from China between 2020 and 2023.

During the meeting, Trump also confirmed he will honor and expedite the AUKUS security pact, under which Australia will receive a fleet of U.S.-made nuclear-powered submarines, saying the process is “moving along very rapidly.” Australia has already committed $1 billion to support the program.

Daily Express US

During the meeting, Trump also confirmed he will honor and expedite the AUKUS security pact, under which Australia will receive a fleet of U.S.-made nuclear-powered submarines, saying the process is “moving along very rapidly.” Australia has already committed $1 billion to support the program.

Trump expressed optimism about relations with China, stating he believes military action likely will not be needed regarding Taiwan and that the AUKUS pact could act as a deterrent, while confirming he has been invited to visit China early next year.

News.com.au

Trump expressed optimism about relations with China, stating he believes military action likely will not be needed regarding Taiwan and that the AUKUS pact could act as a deterrent, while confirming he has been invited to visit China early next year.

The critical minerals agreement between the U.S. and Australia comes as China, which possesses a majority of the world's rare earth metals, announced export controls on rare earths on Oct. 9.

The critical minerals agreement between the U.S. and Australia comes as China, which possesses a majority of the world's rare earth metals, announced export controls on rare earths on Oct. 9.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump signed a critical minerals agreement at the White House on Monday, marking their first formal bilateral meeting after previous phone conversations and a brief encounter at the UN General Assembly.</span

News.com.au #

The Sydney Morning Herald #

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump signed a critical minerals agreement at the White House on Monday, marking their first formal bilateral meeting after previous phone conversations and a brief encounter at the UN General Assembly.

The agreement involves joint investment of $2 billion over six months, with Australia and the US each contributing $1 billion, aimed at unlocking an $8.5 billion pipeline of critical minerals projects to reduce dependence on Chinese rare earth supplies.</span

The New York Times #

The agreement involves joint investment of $2 billion over six months, with Australia and the US each contributing $1 billion, aimed at unlocking an $8.5 billion pipeline of critical minerals projects to reduce dependence on Chinese rare earth supplies.

Australia possesses 43 of the 55 critical minerals and produces 33 percent of the world's lithium, while the US sourced approximately 70 percent of its rare-earth compounds and metal imports from China between 2020 and 2023.</span

Al Jazeera #9604

The Washington Examiner #

Australia possesses 43 of the 55 critical minerals and produces 33 percent of the world's lithium, while the US sourced approximately 70 percent of its rare-earth compounds and metal imports from China between 2020 and 2023.

The AUKUS security pact remains under Pentagon review, with Australia having already committed $1 billion to support US submarine manufacturing and planning to make a second billion-dollar payment to accelerate nuclear submarine production capacity.</span

The AUKUS security pact remains under Pentagon review, with Australia having already committed $1 billion to support US submarine manufacturing and planning to make a second billion-dollar payment to accelerate nuclear submarine production capacity.

Trump expressed optimism about relations with China, stating he believes military action likely won't be needed regarding Taiwan and that the AUKUS pact could act as a deterrent, while confirming he has been invited to visit China early next year.</span

Trump expressed optimism about relations with China, stating he believes military action likely won't be needed regarding Taiwan and that the AUKUS pact could act as a deterrent, while confirming he has been invited to visit China early next year.

Australia currently faces a baseline 10 percent tariff on most exports to the US, the lowest rate among trading partners, while maintaining a trade deficit with America worth $17.9 billion and exporting $143 billion worth of goods to China in 2023.</span

Daily Express US #

Australia currently faces a baseline 10 percent tariff on most exports to the US, the lowest rate among trading partners, while maintaining a trade deficit with America worth $17.9 billion and exporting $143 billion worth of goods to China in 2023.

Australia should reject America's reckless push toward confrontation with China and prioritize its own sovereignty. China has legitimately outmaneuvered the US in critical minerals while demonstrating greater stability as a global partner. AUKUS serves American interests at Australia's expense, costing five times the annual defense budget while making Australia a military colony.

Australia should reject America's reckless push toward confrontation with China and prioritize its own sovereignty. China has legitimately outmaneuvered the US in critical minerals while demonstrating greater stability as a global partner. AUKUS serves American interests at Australia's expense, costing five times the annual defense budget while making Australia a military colony.</span

Global Times

Global Times #

Australia would be wise to reevaluate its alliance with the US

Australia's critical minerals partnership with America offers a strategic opportunity to break China's dangerous monopoly on rare earth materials essential for defense technologies. The alliance remains vital for Indo-Pacific security despite domestic skepticism. AUKUS represents crucial defense cooperation that strengthens deterrence against Chinese aggression in the region.

Australia's critical minerals partnership with America offers a strategic opportunity to break China's dangerous monopoly on rare earth materials essential for defense technologies. The alliance remains vital for Indo-Pacific security despite domestic skepticism. AUKUS represents crucial defense cooperation that strengthens deterrence against Chinese aggression in the region.</span

Csis

Csis #

What to Expect from the Trump-Albanese White House Meeting

NBC #4768

Australia could get Trump's attention with a major bargaining chip against China

The US-China Conflict

US-Australia Sign $2B Critical Minerals Deal to Cut China Ties

Australia

Politics

United States of America

China

The U.S.-Australia critical minerals agreement and AUKUS pact give both nations concrete leverage against China’s near-monopoly on rare earths, securing supply chains vital for defense, clean energy, and high-tech manufacturing. By combining Australia’s resources with U.S. investment and technology, the partnership strengthens regional security, reduces reliance on China, and reinforces the strategic alliance, ensuring both nations are better positioned economically and militarily in the Indo-Pacific.

The U.S.-Australia critical minerals agreement and AUKUS pact give both nations concrete leverage against China’s near-monopoly on rare earths, securing supply chains vital for defense, clean energy, and high-tech manufacturing. By combining Australia’s resources with U.S. investment and technology, the partnership strengthens regional security, reduces reliance on China, and reinforces the strategic alliance, ensuring both nations are better positioned economically and militarily in the Indo-Pacific.

The Washington Post

Trump Australia China Rare Earths

Australia should carefully reconsider its alignment with the U.S., as the critical minerals deal and AUKUS pact primarily advance American strategic goals. China offers a steadier and more reliable partner, with established control over rare earths, efficient processing capabilities, and predictable trade, avoiding the costly militarization and economic risk inherent in Washington’s plans. By engaging pragmatically with Beijing, Canberra can maintain sovereignty, secure supply chains, and prioritize a self-reliant defense and economic strategy.

Australia should carefully reconsider its alignment with the U.S., as the critical minerals deal and AUKUS pact primarily advance American strategic goals. China offers a steadier and more reliable partner, with established control over rare earths, efficient processing capabilities, and predictable trade, avoiding the costly militarization and economic risk inherent in Washington’s plans. By engaging pragmatically with Beijing, Canberra can maintain sovereignty, secure supply chains, and prioritize a self-reliant defense and economic strategy.

US-Australia Sign $2B Critical Minerals Deal to Cut China Ties

US-Australia Sign $2B Critical Minerals Deal to Cut China Ties

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US-Australia Sign $2B Critical Minerals Deal to Cut China Ties

US-Australia Sign $2B Critical Minerals Deal to Cut China Ties

The Spin

The Controversies

Thornburg

Milley

Ritter

Krulak

Rudd

Nye

Tong

Friedman

III

Horowitz

Minihan

Bandt

Albanese

Littleproud

Dutton

Go Deeper

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