The EU and the US launch a strategic partnership on critical minerals

The EU and the US signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a strategic partnership on critical minerals and agreed on an EU-US Action Plan on Critical Minerals. These initiatives reflect the EU’s commitment to deepening cooperation on critical raw materials. This is a key step towards improving the resilience and diversification of supply chains, against a backdrop of shared geopolitical and economic challenges.

The Memorandum of Understanding, signed in Washington D.C. by the Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maros Šefčovič,and the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, formalises the strategic partnership between the EU and the US to build secure and sustainable supply chains for critical minerals. It provides for bilateral cooperation across the entire value chain, covering exploration, extraction, processing, refining, recycling and recovery, whilst supporting innovation, investment and geological mapping, as well as supply and demand measures.

In addition, Commissioner Šefčovič and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer presented an Action Plan for Critical Mineral Supply Chain Resilience, which paves the way for a potential plurilateral trade initiative with global partners.

Under the Action Plan, the EU and the US plan to collaborate to explore a wide range of trade policies and instruments that strengthen coordinated international action. These may include adjusted minimum prices at the border, rules-based markets, price difference subsidies and purchase agreements. Furthermore, cooperation is expected to focus on the development of common standards for mining, processing and recycling; the promotion of investment; joint research and innovation; stockpiling strategies; and rapid response mechanisms to supply disruptions.

Both sides plan to continue working on critical minerals resilience in relevant international forums, including the G7 and the Forum on Geostrategic Engagement on Resources (FORGE).

Both the Memorandum of Understanding and the Action Plan follow up on the shared commitments agreed at theministerialmeetingon critical mineralsheld in Washington D.C. on 4 February 2026, together with Japan. Closer cooperation on critical minerals is envisaged in theJoint Declarationof 21 August 2025 between the EU and the US.

More information: European Commission.