After Washington Talks, U.S. and EU Moves on Critical Minerals Put China and Global South at Center

U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks during the Critical Minerals Ministerial at the State Department in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 4, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

The Washington critical minerals talks have already begun translating into policy.

Within hours of the meeting, U.S. lawmakers and allies announced a coordinated set of proposals—from expanded export finance to strategic stockpiles—signaling a faster, more interventionist push to loosen China’s grip on global minerals supply chains.

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