Donald Trump and Japans Sanae Takaichi sign agreement to secure rare earths supply
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Trump, Takaichi Ink Pact to Secure Rare Earth Supplies
Above: Donald Trump and Sanae Takaichi at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo, Japan, on Oct. 28, 2025. Image copyright: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
The Spin
Trump's rare-earth deal with Japan is mere theater, light on enforceable specifics, while Beijing tightens its grip on 90% of global processing. Signed ahead of high-stakes China talks, it risks provoking trade wars and ignoring domestic mining hurdles, such as permitting delays. This posturing burdens allies without addressing U.S. vulnerabilities.
This landmark framework agreement with Japan on critical minerals and rare earths counters China's export controls that threaten U.S. tech and defense industries. This deal boosts mining, processing and investment, fosters diversified supply chains for EVs, renewables and electronics, and heralds a "new golden age" of U.S.-Japan ties, enhancing economic resilience.
Metaculus Prediction
There's a 50% chance that China's share of rare earth production will be 51.5% in 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
The Controversies
© 2025 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.17.0
© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.17.0