Part 3/8:
Rare earth minerals, which include resources such as lithium and cobalt, are essential for a host of technologies, including those behind smartphones and electric vehicles. The rarity of these minerals demands that the U.S. secure reliable partnerships, much like it did during the oil crises of the 1970s when reliance on Middle Eastern oil proved detrimental.
In the context of Trump’s negotiations, there appears to be a strategy to leverage U.S. financial obligations to gain critical resources from Ukraine. The proposed deal offers a fresh approach—the U.S. would accept payment in rare earth minerals rather than cash.