US and Japan move to loosen China’s rare earths grip — nations partner to build alternative pathways to power, resource independence

The US and Japan have formed a rare earths and energy cooperation agreement to reduce China's dominance in critical tech supply chains. This move aims to secure mineral flows and accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear power technologies. The agreement, announced in Tokyo, signifies a strategic effort to establish alternative pathways around China's resource control. The collaboration may involve accessing rare earths crucial for producing magnets used in various technologies. Additionally, there is mutual interest in developing next-gen nuclear power, aligning with a broader tech trend towards nuclear solutions for rising energy demands in AI and hardware industries.