اتفاق تجاري أمريكي-ماليزي للوصول للمعادن النادرة

U.S. President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim signed a trade agreement that enhances U.S. access to rare earth metals at a time when China is tightening controls on them.

Beijing announced this month extensive restrictions on the rare earth metals sector, prompting Trump to threaten a 100% tariff on imports from China in response to the move.

Trump is visiting Kuala Lumpur as part of the ASEAN Summit, ahead of a scheduled meeting next Thursday with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Under the new U.S.-Malaysia agreement, Kuala Lumpur commits to "refrain from banning or imposing quotas on the export of critical minerals to the United States," while Washington agreed to impose a 19% tariff on Malaysian goods.

Malaysia also pledged to accelerate the development of the rare earth metals sector in collaboration with American companies, including extending operating permits to enhance production capacities.

Manufacturing, Technology, and Economy

U.S. Trade Representative Jameson Greer stated that the agreement will make investment and trade in rare earth metals "as free and flexible as possible."

Greer said during the signing: "We live in a world where possessing these critical minerals is vital for our manufacturing, technology, and economy, and it is very important that we cooperate as willing partners to ensure we have smooth supply chains."

Malaysia reported in 2023 that it possesses about 16.2 million tons of rare earth metal reserves.

A ban on the export of raw rare earth metals will come into effect on January 1, 2024, aimed at encouraging local processing.