US, EU Sign Preliminary Partnership Deal on Critical Minerals

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that a concentrated mineral supply posed an ‘unacceptable risk’ to the West.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio listens as President Donald Trump speaks to members of the press before departing the White House on March 20, 2026. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times

The United States and the European Union signed a memorandum of understanding ​on April 24 for a partnership on critical minerals.

While the plan does not ​specifically mention China, it comes as part ⁠of a broader push by the Trump ​administration to work with Western allies to ​loosen the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) grip on critical materials.