U.S., Australia Sign Rare Earths Deal as Trump Promises Submarines

US President Donald Trump (R) and Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (C) sign a document on critical minerals as Vice President JD Vance (L) looks on in the Cabinet Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on October 20, 2025. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)

By Danny Kemp with David Williams in Sydney

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a deal on rare earth minerals Monday with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and said Washington’s key ally would get its coveted nuclear-powered attack submarines.

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