Snapshot 8:Tue, Oct 28, 2025 9:22:04 AM GMT last edited by Anna-Lisa

Trump, Takaichi Ink Pact to Secure Rare Earth Supplies

Published 2 days ago

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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 by permitting delays. This posturing burdens allies without addressing U.S. vulnerabilities.

Al Jazeera

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.

ThereTrump's arare-earth 50deal with Japan is mere theater, light on enforceable specifics, while Beijing tightens its grip on 90% chanceof thatglobal China'sprocessing. shareSigned ahead of rarehigh-stakes earthChina productiontalks, willit berisks 51.5%provoking intrade 2030wars and ignoring domestic mining hurdles, accordingsuch toas theby Metaculuspermitting predictiondelays. communityThis posturing burdens allies without addressing U.S. vulnerabilities.

Bloomberg.com Al Jazeera

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.

Trump White House