The US will seek agreements with eight allied nations as part of a fresh effort to strengthen supply chains for the computer chips and critical minerals needed for AI technology, according to the top State Department official for economic affairs…The initiative, which builds on efforts dating back to the first Trump administration, unfolds as the US looks to cut dependence on China. It will begin with a meeting at the White House on Dec. 12 between the US and counterparts from Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the UK, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Australia, Jacob Helberg, the undersecretary of state for economic affairs, said in an interview…Helberg’s initiative builds upon years of efforts on critical minerals supply chains by prior administrations largely aimed at helping reduce western dependence on China. The State Department in the first Trump administration launched the US Energy Resource Governance Initiative with the aim of securing supply chains for critical minerals like lithium and cobalt. The Biden administration launched a Minerals Security Partnership that aimed to funnel foreign investment and western expertise to the mining sectors of developing nations…While the first Trump administration initiative focused on critical minerals, it came before the public release of AI platforms like ChatGPT, and the new plan focuses across all layers of the technology involved in AI, not just one, Helberg said…“Countries who are participating understand the transformative impact of AI, both for the size of a country’s economy, as well as the strengths of a country’s military,” he said. “They want to be a part of the AI boom.”

A new era of geopolitical rivalry is unfolding as energy security, advanced technology and critical minerals emerge as the decisive pillars of global power, News.az reports…From Washington to Beijing, Brussels to New Delhi and across resource-rich regions from Africa to Central Asia, governments are recalibrating foreign policy strategies to ensure access to the materials and technologies that will define economic and military advantage in the twenty-first century…The world’s major powers increasingly view energy and technological supremacy not merely as economic priorities but as national security imperatives. This shift is driven by three parallel transformations: the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy systems, the explosive growth of digital and military technologies dependent on rare earth elements and strategic minerals, and the wider competition over supply chains controlling these resources…At the core of this rivalry is the global race for critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, graphite and rare earth elements. These materials are essential for producing electric vehicle batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, advanced electronics, artificial intelligence systems and next-generation military hardware. As demand skyrockets, states are scrambling to secure long-term access, diversify supply chains and reduce dependence on vulnerable or politically sensitive sources…China currently dominates much of the world’s critical mineral supply chain, controlling major mining concessions in Africa, refining capacity for rare earths and manufacturing hubs for battery components. Beijing’s strategic investments through the Belt and Road Initiative have positioned it as the primary player in the minerals-to-manufacturing ecosystem. For the United States and the European Union, this level of dependence represents a significant strategic vulnerability. As a result, Washington and Brussels have launched ambitious plans to onshore or friend-shore supply chains, increase domestic mining and establish new partnerships with mineral-rich regions…Technology is the third pillar of the emerging geopolitical contest. Control over semiconductors, telecom infrastructure, cyber capabilities and artificial intelligence now determines a country’s global influence as much as traditional military power…As the world transitions into a green and digital age, the geopolitics of energy, technology and critical minerals will shape global power for decades. Countries that can secure stable supply chains, foster innovation and balance environmental and strategic priorities will emerge as leaders of the new international order. Those that fail may find themselves increasingly vulnerable in a world defined by competition for the materials and technologies that fuel modern civilization.

Governments across Canada are championing critical minerals as the next great nation-building opportunity, supporting clean growth, energy security and global competitiveness. With Budget 2025 investments and new nation-building project designations highlighting the sector’s importance, Canada is positioning itself as a trusted supplier of responsibly produced minerals and value-added products…From exploration and processing to battery manufacturing and recycling, critical minerals are the backbone of a low-carbon economy, enabling Canada to decarbonize at home and help the world do the same…As global markets seek to diversify and build more resilient supply chains, Canada’s strong ESG (environmental, social, governance) standards, stable democracy and growing record of Indigenous partnerships further enhance its role as a reliable partner in the global critical minerals economy…The report’s clear takeaway is that Canada has an extraordinary opportunity to lead in the global critical mineral economy, but only if governments match their industrial ambition with equally strong, coordinated workforce planning. Building a ready, skilled and supported workforce will determine whether this ambition turns into lasting prosperity for workers, communities and the country…In 2023, Canada’s minerals and metals sector employed 430,000 people directly and 281,000 indirectly, about 1 in 30 Canadian workers…Global demand for critical minerals used in clean tech alone is expected to nearly double by 2030 and triple by 2040…Canada has some of the world’s largest reserves of nickel, lithium, cobalt and graphite, making it one of the only western nations with abundant critical minerals.