U.S. and Lithuania Sign Framework to Secure Critical Minerals

The nonbinding pact sets a six‑month deadline to pick priority projects, mobilize public and private funds, broaden supply chains.

Overview

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys signed a bilateral memorandum in Washington, D.C. to formalize cooperation on critical minerals.
The framework aims to diversify and secure supplies by promoting investment in mineral extraction, processing capacity, and resilient supply‑chain links.
Both governments pledged to jointly identify priority projects and line up government and private financing within six months to move from planning to implementation.
Lithuania will offer technical and industrial capabilities, including high‑tech manufacturing, photonics expertise, material processing and logistics, as part of the partnership.
The agreement fits into a wider 2026 U.S. strategy of partner pacts and an April U.S.–EU memorandum and is intended to attract investment that strengthens economic and defense supply resilience.