TOKYO, March 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Wednesday she would discuss joint development with the United States of deep sea rare earths off a remote Pacific island when she meets President Donald Trump this week. "We discussed resources development when President Trump visited Japan in October last year, and since February Japan and the United States have begun concrete discussions on cooperating regarding development of marine mineral resources," Takaichi told parliament. "The rare earths in waters around Minamitorishima are one of the targets of this effort... It blocked exports to Japan of "dual-use" items with potential military uses, fuelling worries in Japan that Beijing could choke supplies of rare earths. China has long used its dominance in rare earths for geopolitical leverage, including in its trade war with Trump.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha March 18, 2026 10:10 UTC