.jpg)
U.S. President Donald Trump attends the ASEAN Summit and poses for a group photo with regional leaders. (Photo: ASEAN)
U.S. President Donald Trump attended the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26, where he signed critical minerals agreements with Thailand and Malaysia.
The move aims to diversify rare earth supplies and reduce the impact of China’s tightening export controls, ensuring a stable supply of materials essential for electric vehicle batteries, defense systems, and other advanced technologies.
Trump deepens Indo-Pacific ties with rare earth
According to a joint statement under the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade between the United States and Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur pledged not to prohibit or restrict the export of critical minerals or rare earths to the U.S., and to take proactive measures to facilitate cooperation with American firms, such as extending operating licenses. Malaysia also agreed not to limit the sale of rare earth magnets to U.S. companies.
