The Monocle Daily The US wants a critical-minerals club to counter China: who’s in?
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Feb 6, 2026 Lily Austin, cineaste and cultural commentator, and Chris Chermak, winter-sports commentator, join H.J. Mai, Washington-based international affairs reporter. They unpack the US-led Critical Minerals Ministerial and its geopolitical stakes. Then they shift to winter-sports cinema, trading favorite films from Cool Runnings to Eddie the Eagle in quick, lively recommendations.
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Global Concern Over Mineral Supply Chains
- More than 50 countries attended the US Critical Minerals Ministerial showing global concern about reliance on China for key minerals.
- H.J. Mai noted the summit highlighted supply-chain vulnerability but produced no immediate concrete trading framework.
Secure Minerals With Multiple Policy Tools
- The US is pursuing a multifaceted approach: bilateral agreements, stockpiling and direct investments in mineral companies.
- Expect partner countries to negotiate price floors, tariff rules and longer-term frameworks before committing to large-scale mining deals.
Targeting China Without Saying It
- Marco Rubio convened the summit while avoiding naming China explicitly, signalling a diplomatic tack to build alliances without overt confrontation.
- H.J. Mai said the unstated target and context made clear the summit aimed to break China's market stranglehold.
