Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al-Qassam Brigades: We will hand over the body of one of the occupation prisoners that was exhumed today in the Gaza Strip at 9 pm Gaza time.
Al Mayadeen correspondent to southern Lebanon: One martyr and one wounded in the initial toll of an Israeli drone strike targeting the town of Al-Bayyad.
Local sources report that a car bomb explosion has targeted the General Security headquarters near the Baniyas Court in the Tartous countryside, western Syria
Israeli artillery strikes target Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian media: IOF arrest leader Jamal al-Tawil, who was liberated as part of the prisoner exchange, from his home in al-Bireh.
Palestinian media: 'Israel' launches two airstrikes on eastern Khan Younis, Gaza.
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation forces carry out demolitions in eastern Gaza City.
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry: The National Armed Forces will remain on alert and mobilized in the face of this extremely dangerous provocation.
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry: This is not a defense exercise, but rather a military aggression aimed at turning the Caribbean into a space for violence and US hegemony.
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry: The government of Trinidad and Tobago has surrendered the country's sovereignty to act as a military colony serving US interests.

Trump's push for Ukraine's rare earth elements explained

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies + News websites
  • 5 Feb 2025 13:34
  • 2 Shares
4 Min Read

US President Donald Trump seeks to obtain rare earth resources from Ukraine in exchange for US aid.

Listen
  • x
  • Refined tellurium is displayed at the Rio Tinto Kennecott refinery, May 11, 2022, in Magna, Utah. (AP)
    Refined tellurium is displayed at the Rio Tinto Kennecott refinery, on May 11, 2022, in Magna, Utah. (AP)

Rare earth minerals, which US President Donald Trump hopes to secure from Ukraine as part of a deal for US aid, are crucial for industries developing computers, batteries, and advanced energy technology.

Rare earths are a group of 17 heavy metals, including dysprosium, neodymium, and cerium, which are essential in various industries. While these elements are abundant in the Earth’s crust globally, they are often found in low concentrations.

The United States Geological Survey estimated in 2024 that there are 110 million tons of global rare earth deposits, with China holding 44 million tonnes, making it the world’s largest producer. Other significant deposits are in Brazil, Vietnam, Russia, and India. However, mining these elements is environmentally challenging, as it involves heavy chemical use that results in substantial toxic waste.

Why does Trump want them?

Each of the 17 rare earth elements is indispensable in many industries, from electronics to defense. Europium is used in television screens, cerium for polishing glass and refining oil, and lanthanum is vital for car catalytic converters.

Rare earths are also crucial in high-tech applications like wind turbines, where neodymium and dysprosium enable the creation of durable, maintenance-free magnets for offshore energy generation.

Trump suggested a deal in which Ukraine would guarantee a supply of rare earths in exchange for US aid, an idea that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had proposed the previous year.

Related News

Trump confirms peace treaty signing between Thailand, Cambodia

Trump terminates Canada trade talks over alleged fake Reagan ad

Where does most of the world’s current supply of rare earths come from?

China has dominated rare earth production for decades, investing heavily in refining operations. The Asian country also holds many patents on rare earth production, which creates barriers for other nations aiming to process rare earths independently.

As a result, the US and EU primarily rely on China for rare earth supplies, though both are seeking to diversify and recycle more to reduce dependence on Beijing. This reliance became evident during the 2019 US-China trade dispute when China threatened to cut rare earth exports to the US.

Japan, which suffered during a similar export ban in 2010, has since sought alternative supply routes, including deals with the Australian company Lynas.

Rare earths are considered critical minerals in the US, though not all critical minerals are rare earths. For example, while rare earths are not subject to China's recent export restrictions, the Chinese government has imposed controls on other critical minerals such as tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum, and indium, citing national security concerns.

The US Geological Survey also designates these materials as critical due to their importance in technologies related to clean energy, advanced technology, and national security.

Russia warns Trump: Stay away from Ukraine's rare earths

It is worth noting that a senior Russian official condemned US President Donald Trump's proposal to provide military aid to Ukraine in exchange for access to its valuable mineral resources.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday, "If we call things as they are, this is a proposal to buy help — in other words, not to give it unconditionally, or for some other reasons, but specifically to provide it on a commercial basis."

Peskov added, "It would be better of course for the assistance to not be provided at all, as that would contribute to the end of this conflict," referring to a war initiated by Russia.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also criticized Trump's suggestion, labeling it as "very egotistic, very self-centered," and emphasizing that Ukraine would need its natural resources for postwar reconstruction.

Read more: Rare earth elements and their applications; why the global competition

  • US President Donald Trump
  • US aid
  • Ukraine's rare earth
  • China
  • Rare Earth Elements
  • Ukraine
  • Ukraine war
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Sheikh Naim Qassem speaks during an interview with Al-Manar TV, October 26, 2025 (Screenshot)
Politics

Hezbollah ready to face 'Israel' in case of war: Sheikh Naim Qassem

A Russian cargo train arrives at Astara Railway Wharf, March 2018 (IRNA)
Economy

Tehran, Moscow to finalize INSTC rail project next month

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf addresses the media after submitting his candidacy for the Islamic Republic's upcoming presidential election in Tehran on June 3, 2024 (AP)
Politics

UNSCR 2231 termination marks major win for Iran’s diplomacy: Qalibaf

ap
Politics

'Israel' killed 40 Palestinian children in West Bank since January: UN

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS