US-Japan deal targets supply chains, backs deep-sea minerals push
The US and Japan have unveiled a new critical minerals action plan aimed at strengthening supply chain resilience, with a key focus on advancing cooperation in deep-sea mining.
Announced on Thursday, the agreement sets out a framework for closer coordination on trade policy, supply chain security and the development of alternative sources of critical minerals, as both countries seek to reduce reliance on constrained global supply.
US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer said the initiative was a step towards diversifying supply.
“The United States and Japan are taking an important step to expand the production and diversity of critical minerals, laying the foundation for a binding plurilateral agreement supported by price floors and other measures,” he said.
A central component of the agreement is a new memorandum of cooperation to accelerate joint research and development into commercially viable deep-sea mineral extraction, including rare-earth-rich seabed resources.
The two countries will focus in part on deposits near Japan’s Minamitorishima Island, where rare-earth muds are believed to hold significant long-term supply potential for industrial applications.
The action plan also includes measures to develop strategic trade policies and potential border mechanisms designed to mitigate supply disruptions and protect downstream industries reliant on imported critical minerals.
The initiative builds on broader regional efforts to strengthen energy and resource security, with leaders noting the outcomes of the Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum, which highlighted more than $50-billion in projects and investments across the region.
Both countries said the agreement would support the development of “trusted supply chains” for critical minerals essential to key sectors such as energy, advanced manufacturing and infrastructure, while reinforcing cooperation within the Indo-Pacific alliance network.
Article Enquiry
Email Article
Save Article
Feedback
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here
Research Reports
Projects
Latest Multimedia
Latest News
Showroom
Rooted in the hearts of South Africans, combining technology and a quest for perfection to bring you a battery of peerless standing. Willard...
VISIT SHOWROOM
Sulzer South Africa, established in 1922, partners with critical industries like power, oil & gas, water, mining, and chemicals to boost...
VISIT SHOWROOM
Press Office
Announcements
What's On
Subscribe to improve your user experience...
Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):
Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format
Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):
All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors
including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.
Already a subscriber?
Forgotten your password?
Receive weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine (print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
➕
Recieve daily email newsletters
➕
Access to full search results
➕
Access archive of magazine back copies
➕
Access to Projects in Progress
➕
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format
RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA
R4500 (equivalent of R375 a month)
SUBSCRIBEAll benefits from Option 1
➕
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports on various industrial and mining sectors, in PDF format, including on:
Electricity
➕
Water
➕
Energy Transition
➕
Hydrogen
➕
Roads, Rail and Ports
➕
Coal
➕
Gold
➕
Platinum
➕
Battery Metals
➕
etc.
Receive all benefits from Option 1 or Option 2 delivered to numerous people at your company
➕
Multiple User names and Passwords for simultaneous log-ins
➕
Intranet integration access to all in your organisation
