Sydney: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is scheduled to hold his inaugural summit with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday. The summit is expected to center on securing a stronger U.S. commitment to Australia’s critical minerals sector, particularly rare earth elements, amid China’s increasing control over global supply chains. Albanese has traveled with his Minister for Resources, highlighting the strategic importance of the sector, while foreign and defense ministers will not accompany him.
Australia is exploring the creation of a strategic reserve of rare earths, essential for technologies such as electric vehicles, military radar systems, and aircraft engines. The Australian government has proposed offering shares of this reserve to allies, including the United States and Britain, as Western nations seek to reduce dependence on China for these critical materials. U.S. officials have expressed concern over Beijing’s tightening export controls, framing them as a threat to global supply chains. Canberra aims to leverage its resource wealth to ensure stable access for strategic allies.
Defense and security cooperation is also high on the agenda. The Trump administration is reviewing the A$368 billion AUKUS treaty, under which Australia is set to acquire U.S. nuclear-powered submarines by 2032 and later develop a new class of submarines with Britain. Despite delays in official meetings and Pentagon pressure to increase defense spending, Australia remains confident the pact will proceed. Canberra has contributed $2 billion this year to accelerate production at U.S. submarine shipyards and plans to maintain Virginia-class submarines at its Indian Ocean base starting 2027.
While strengthening ties with the U.S., Australia continues to maintain stable economic relations with China, its largest trading partner. Despite past trade boycotts from Beijing, Canberra aims to diversify export markets while remaining a reliable supplier of critical minerals to the United States. Albanese emphasized the importance of fostering a cooperative and professional relationship with President Trump, laying the groundwork for broader economic and security collaboration.
This summit is seen as a strategic milestone in Australia-U.S. relations, particularly regarding critical minerals, defense cooperation, and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.