Addressing China, U.S. Gets Full Rare Earth Access from Malaysia

Malaysia’s opposition says a U.S.-Malaysia rare earths deal forces Malaysia to follow U.S. sanctions on China and cede sovereignty.
US President Donald Trump (L) and Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (R) hold signed documents during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, 2025. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)

The United States is moving to lock in Malaysia as a secure economic and strategic partner in Southeast Asia.

The U.S.–Malaysia rare earths agreement ties market access to U.S. rules on critical minerals, rare earths, technology, data, labor, and national security in sectors where Washington is competing with China for supply chains and industrial leverage.

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by Edwin Shri Bimo

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