Prime Minister Anthony Albanese boasted twin benefits from the critical minerals deal signed with the United States last month. On the security side, Albanese said the agreement would “provide critical minerals required for defence and other advanced technologies to the United States and our strategic partners.” On the economic side, he promised it would “mean more jobs in Australia, more resilience for our economy … making more things in Australia.”. It was widely read in Canberra that critical minerals offered Albanese his strongest card going into the Trump meeting, and the warm White House and Congressional reactions suggest that assessment was right. Critical minerals are now a way for Australia to make itself indispensable to Washington.
Not every critical mineral is equal – and Australia’s policy should reflect this | Lowy Institute
