Washington, D.C. The United States and the European Union are set to sign a preliminary partnership agreement on critical minerals on Friday.
The deal will be formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation in securing essential raw materials.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic will meet on Friday and take part in the signing ceremony, the U.S. Department of State added.
Key Points:
Focus on securing supply chains for critical minerals used in electric vehicles, semiconductors, and renewable energy.
– Aims to reduce dependence on dominant external suppliers, particularly China.
– Includes plans for joint investments, shared standards, and coordination on trade policies.
– Could expand into a broader long-term trade and economic agreement.
Officials from both sides highlighted the importance of strong and resilient supply chains for economic security and future technologies.
This partnership marks a major step in transatlantic cooperation, aiming to secure critical resources and support clean energy and advanced industries while reducing geopolitical risks.
