US and Australia sign rare earths deal to counter China's dominance

The two countries will boost investments to expand mining and processing of critical minerals, amid dependency on China.

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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the deal would support a pipeline of $8.5bn (A$13bn; £6.3bn) "ready-to-go" projects that would expand his country's mining and processing abilities.

It includes $1bn to be invested by the two countries in projects in the US and Australia over the next six months, a framework text says.

The US and Australia have been working on these issues since Trump's first term, but Albanese said the latest agreement would take the partnership to the "next level".

On Monday, US President Donald Trump also commented on Australia's multi-billion dollar submarine deal with the US and UK, known as Aukus, saying it was "full steam ahead".