Top Diplomats to Head to Washington for Critical Minerals Summit

Ministers head to the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial as allies seek to counter China’s dominance in rare earths and strategic metals.

A prospector displays a sample of rare earth minerals in San Bernardino County, Calif., on Dec. 10, 2025. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

Foreign and resources ministers from across the Indo-Pacific, Europe, and beyond are converging on Washington this week for a strategic meeting on critical minerals supply chains, as the United States pushes to deepen cooperation with allies and partners.

The inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial, convened by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Feb. 4, will bring together officials to discuss ways to diversify supply chains and reduce strategic dependence on China.