Overview
- President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a framework at the White House to expand access to rare-earth and other critical minerals.
- The move seeks to reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains following Beijing’s new export restrictions announced earlier in October.
- Trump said negotiations over the agreement lasted four to five months.
- The leaders said they would also discuss trade and potential provision of submarines and other equipment to Australia under AUKUS.
- No substantive terms such as timelines or investment commitments were released at the signing.