Trump Proposes Rare Earth Deal in Exchange for Ukraine Aid

The U.S. president seeks guarantees over Ukraine's rare earth resources as global demand for these strategic materials surges.

Donald Trump announced plans to negotiate U.S. aid to Ukraine in exchange for guarantees on Ukraine's rare earth minerals, critical for modern technologies.
Rare earth elements, numbering 17, are essential for industries like renewable energy, defense, and electronics, with demand projected to skyrocket by 2030.
China currently dominates rare earth production, refining 60% of the global supply, sparking concerns in the West over supply chain vulnerabilities.
Ukraine's President Zelensky has previously floated the idea of leveraging the country's strategic resources, including rare earths, to secure international partnerships.
Experts highlight the high cost of rare earth extraction and processing, despite their relative abundance, as a key challenge for diversifying global supply chains.