An American initiative with its allies to counter China’s dominance of rare minerals economy

In a move showing a strategic escalation against China’s control of vital supply chains, the Quartet coalition countries – the United States, Japan, India and Australia announced the launch of a new initiative to ensure stability and secure supplies Rare mineralsAnd, during the meeting of its foreign ministers in Washington on Tuesday.

In the joint statement issued after the meeting, the ministers revealed the “Critical Quartet Initiative”, which aims to “enhance economic security and collective flexibility, through cooperation in securing and diversifying the chains of supplying critical metals.”

Although the statement did not mention China by name, the concern about Beijing’s domination of these resources was present in the background of the speech, as the ministers indicated their concerns about “sudden restrictions on supply chains” and “non -market practices in treating and refining minerals.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated during the meeting that “the Quartet must be an implementation platform, not merely intentions of intentions,” stressing that trade and industrial cooperation represents the cornerstone of the future of the Quartet and its regional influence.

An implicit condemnation of Beijing

The statement stressed that relying on one country to treat and refine basic minerals “exposes the industries to economic extortion, price fluctuations, and disturbances in supply chains.”

The ministers also expressed their “extreme concern” of provocative activities in the Naval and East China, confirming their rejection of “any unilateral measures aimed at changing the status quo or coercion.”

The statement pointed to increasing Chinese interventions, including the use of water hoses, dangerous maneuvers, and the interception of ships and aircraft, which undermines the freedom of maritime and air navigation, especially in the South China Sea.

In another context, the Quartet ministers criticized North Korea, due to its ballistic experiences and expanding its nuclear program, as well as its “malicious” electronic activities, as described.

The statement expressed “deep concern about the growing military cooperation between North Korea and other countries,” in an implicit reference to Pyongyang’s support for Russia in its war in Ukraine.

China rejects … and Trump balances

Despite the critical criticism, the US administration led by the president Donald Trump It still maintains a double tone towards China.

While Trump previously announced his intention to “take a firm position” towards Beijing, he returned last June and described bilateral relations as “excellent”, after reaching an initial trade agreement between the two sides.

Trump is expected to participate in the SUV summit in India later this year, in an attempt to strengthen the anti -China’s influence in the area of ​​the Indian and Hadi.

It is noteworthy that the Quartet was originally founded as a security axis to confront the regional rise of China, and its position was strengthened with the return of geopolitical tensions, especially in light of the Russian -Ukrainian war and the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East, prompting Washington to re -focus its foreign policy on Asia.

Despite the repeated Chinese opposition of this alliance, the Quartet is continuing to expand its agenda to include vital economic files, foremost of which is rare minerals, which are the backbone of advanced technology industries from electric car batteries to micro -military devices.