Tag Archives: Japan

#US #CriticalMinerals talks advance with #EU, #Japan on price floor

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A display of critical metals featuring a metal ingot labeled 'CRITICAL METALS', two batteries, and assorted rocks, with the flags of the United States, European Union, and Japan in the background alongside the Statue of Liberty and Tokyo Tower.

The US, Japan and the European Union are set to announce plans in the coming weeks to lay the foundation for a trade agreement in critical minerals, according to people familiar with the preparations.

The Office of the US Trade Representative, which has led negotiations with Brussels and Tokyo on the framework, will also head talks for a trade deal that is set to include a price floor and tariffs for the materials to counter any market distortions by China, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Global efforts to diversify critical minerals supply chains intensified after Beijing last year imposed sweeping export controls, including on rare earths and critical minerals, in response to President Donald Trump’s so-called Liberation Day tariffs, which set a 10% levy on nearly all American imports.

Beijing has threatened it would retaliate against the formation of a bloc that would target its exports.

The supply crunch has eased somewhat since its worst point last summer and fall, but companies still complain that they don’t receive the quantities they need and have ordered from Chinese suppliers.

Read more at: https://www.mining.com/web/us-advance-critical-minerals-talks-with-eu-japan-on-price-floor/

#Japan, #France and #Canada work on alternatives to #US-led trade bloc for #RareEarth supplies  

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A collage featuring critical minerals and rare earth elements, with landmarks from Japan, France, and Canada. Includes a magnet, smartphone, electronic components, and an electric car charging.

Group of Seven members Japan, France and Canada are working on alternatives to a U.S.-led ​trade bloc to secure critical minerals and reduce reliance on China, according to three senior officials from these countries.

Some ‌options include import quotas on certain rare earths, subsidies for mining companies to diversify the supply chain on critical minerals, and a buyers’ club,a Canada-led G7 initiative that aims to develop a reliable supply chain of critical minerals outside of China and break that country’s monopoly on these metals.

Rare earths are difficult-to-extract metals used in cell phones, EVs, and high-tech weapons. China currently controls over 90% of these metals and imposed export ​controls last year in retaliation for U.S. tariffs.

Japan has asked its manufacturing industries to strike commercial deals with rare earths projects that ​it has funded with allies such as France, Australia, and Canada.

“They might not be the cheapest, but now that the industry understands the balance of ‌risk ⁠and price, it is not a bad idea to use those projects,” Hatada explained.

Benjamin Gallezot, France’s interministerial delegate for supplies of strategic minerals and metals, told Reuters the U.S. proposal is one way to diversify, “but there are other ways to do it.” “There will not be a general policy, that is our view. Second, it has to be built and discussed between a large number of countries, not only ​the G7, but G7 plus.”

Read more at: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-france-canada-work-alternatives-us-led-trade-bloc-rare-earth-supplies-2026-03-06/

#India reaches out to critical mineral producers for processing technology

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NEW DELHI: India has reached out to key critical mineral producers to bring in processing technology into the country, officials said. The move comes close on the back of the government rolling out auctions of critical mineral mines.

“Talks are on with the United States (US), Australia, and United Kingdom (UK), South Korea, and Japan for processing technology. Brazil and Argentina are also positive about collaborating with India,” a senior mines ministry official told ET.
According to another official aware of the plan, agreements with countries are being lined up and will soon be signed.

While India is going ahead with auction of mines holding critical minerals, there are no facilities for their beneficiation.

“We want to target India’s first critical mineral beneficiation and processing plant in the next 3-5 years,” the official quoted above said. “We want to ensure that development of critical mineral processing and extraction happen in parallel.”

Read more at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/indl-goods/svs/metals-mining/india-reaches-out-to-critical-mineral-producers-for-processing-technology/articleshow/108924719.cms?from=mdr

Jamaica, Japan start cooperation on rare earth extraction

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Jamaica and Japan on Monday started cooperation on rare earth extraction by breaking ground for a pilot plant amid concerns from local environmentalists.

The plant in St. Andrew, funded by Japanese company Nippon Light Metal with initial investment of 3 million US dollars, is expected to extract some 1,500 metric tonnes of rare earth oxides annually from Jamaican red mud.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/760274.shtml