【US "Decoupling" Efforts Escalate: Reuters Exposes New US Plan】

On January 11, Reuters reported that the U.S. is pushing to reduce its reliance on China by reaching agreements with Australia, Ukraine, and other mineral-producing countries. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bensont is expected to urge the G7 and other relevant countries to increase efforts to reduce dependence on China in critical mineral supply chains.

The report cited sources who said that Bensont will meet with finance ministers or cabinet officials from the G7, the EU, Australia, India, South Korea, and Mexico on January 12. These countries account for 60% of global demand for critical minerals.

An informed source said, "Urgency is the core issue at hand, and this matter is crucial. There are differing positions among the parties involved and a large number of participating countries; we need to act quickly."

The source revealed that since the G7 leaders' summit in Canada in June 2025, Bensont has been advocating for a separate meeting on this issue—then he had presented a report on rare earths before the heads of state of the U.S., UK, Japan, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, and the EU countries.

Although leaders at the summit have reached consensus on supply chain security and economic stimulus action plans, Bensont expressed disappointment over the lack of urgency in the actions taken by the parties involved.

The report pointed out that, except for Japan (which has taken measures after China suddenly suspended key mineral supplies in 2010), other G7 member states still largely rely on China, while China has previously announced strict export controls.

According to data from the International Energy Agency, China holds a dominant position in the critical mineral supply chain, with processing shares ranging from 47% to 87% for copper, lithium, cobalt, graphite, and rare earths; these minerals are widely used in defense technology, semiconductors, renewable energy components, batteries, and smelting processes.

An informed source said, "The U.S. plan aims to unite all parties, demonstrate leadership, and share future plans. We are willing to take action with countries that also recognize the urgency... Other countries can join once they realize the seriousness of the situation."

The person did not reveal details about the Trump administration's subsequent measures; the current U.S. government is advancing efforts to expand domestic capacity and reduce reliance on China through agreements with production countries such as Australia and Ukraine.

Last October, the U.S. and Australia signed an agreement in the critical mineral sector aimed at countering China's dominance, including an 85 billion dollar cooperation project; the agreement will use Australia's proposed strategic reserves to supply rare earths, lithium, and other minerals vulnerable to supply disruptions. Afterward, the Australian government stated that it had received inquiries for cooperation from the EU, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.

Notably, China has begun to restrict exports of rare earths and high-performance magnets containing rare earths to Japan, as well as to prohibit exports of dual-use goods to Japanese military departments.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1854034404370570/

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