In a strategic move to reduce dependence on China, the Quad nations — Australia, India, Japan, and the United States — have unveiled the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, aimed at securing and diversifying global supply chains for critical minerals.
The announcement came during a summit in Washington, hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, alongside Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya.
In a joint statement, the leaders described the initiative as “an ambitious expansion” of their partnership, emphasizing its goal to boost economic security and strengthen collective resilience across the Indo-Pacific.
Critical minerals, such as rare earth elements, are essential for manufacturing everything from smartphones to electric vehicles — and China currently dominates much of the supply and refining capacity.
“This isn’t just about accessing raw materials,” Rubio said. “It’s about gaining the capability to process and refine them independently, turning them into usable materials for the future.”
The move marks a significant step in reshaping global mineral supply dynamics and reinforcing the Quad’s role in ensuring a stable, diversified future for high-tech and green industries.
