Overview
- President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed the framework at the White House, outlining a project pipeline of up to $8.5 billion with more than $3 billion in near‑term government investment and at least $1 billion to be committed within six months.
- The agreement names initial efforts including a Pentagon‑supported gallium recovery and refinery project in Western Australia that officials say could supply up to 10% of global gallium.
- U.S. Export‑Import Bank issued seven letters of interest totaling $2.2 billion for prospective Australian projects such as Arafura Rare Earths and Sunrise Energy Metals to accelerate mining and processing outside China.
- The package links economic and defense cooperation, with the White House announcing Australian purchases of more than $1 billion in unmanned underwater vehicles and renewed discussions of AUKUS implementation.
- Officials highlighted broader U.S. industrial‑policy tools—recent equity stakes like the Defense Department’s 15% in MP Materials, potential price floors, and a strategic mineral reserve—as China tightens rare‑earth export controls and Washington threatens 100% tariffs.