During his confirmation hearing before the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Senator Marco Rubio issued a strong warning about the growing reliance of the U.S. on China for critical minerals.
Marco Rubio perfectly sums up the threat China poses to Americans' everyday lives:
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 15, 2025
"If we stay on the road we are on right now in less than 10 years, virtually everything that matters to us in life will depend on whether China allows us to have it or not.
Everything from blood… pic.twitter.com/x6xqjVIKZw
“If we stay on the road we are on right now—in less than 10 years, virtually everything that matters to us in life will depend on whether China allows us to have it or not,” Rubio declared, emphasizing the urgent need for the U.S. to secure its supply chains.
Critical minerals, essential for technologies ranging from electric vehicle (EV) batteries to medical devices and defense systems, are dominated by China. These include rare earth elements like neodymium and dysprosium, along with lithium, cobalt, and nickel. Rubio stressed, “Even those who want more EVs—those batteries depend on China.”
To address this dependency, Rubio has introduced legislative measures, such as the Global Strategy for Securing Critical Minerals Act of 2024, which promotes secure supply chains by bolstering diplomatic ties, private sector investments, and partnerships with allies. He also proposed the Critical Mineral Supply Chain Realignment Act of 2024, which imposes escalating tariffs on Chinese critical mineral imports to incentivize alternative sources.
Uzbekistan’s Role in Rare Earth Mineral Development
As global powers seek to diversify their critical mineral supply chains, Uzbekistan has emerged as a key player in rare earth mineral development. Uzbekistan, with confirmed mineral reserves worth $970 bn and a total estimated potential exceeding $3.5 trillion, holds one of the world’s most diverse and abundant mineral portfolios, including over 100 types of minerals, 60 of which are actively mined. The country ranks among the top ten globally for gold, uranium, and copper reserves, is 4th in gold reserves with 40 deposits, and has extensive deposits of tungsten, molybdenum, silver, coal, and oil and gas, covering 60% of its territory. The Central Asian nation has signed agreements with major international partners, including South Korea, Germany, EU and the United States, to develop its rare earth resources. These partnerships aim to unlock Uzbekistan’s untapped reserves and contribute to the global supply of critical minerals.
Agreement with Germany
On September 16, 2024, Uzbekistan and Germany signed a strategic partnership agreement to enhance cooperation on critical mineral resources during a meeting between Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Samarkand. The deal outlines the participation of German companies in exploring and processing Uzbekistan’s vast mineral reserves, focusing on boosting production and exporting high-value-added products.
MoU with USA
On September 16, 2024, the United States and Uzbekistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in the critical minerals sector and the clean energy transition. The MoU was signed by U.S. Ambassador Jonathan Henick and Uzbekistan’s First Deputy Minister of Geology Omonullo Nasritdinxodjaev in Tashkent. The agreement focuses on boosting investments in Uzbekistan’s rich reserves of critical minerals, such as gold, copper, tungsten, silver, uranium, lithium, and rare-earth metals like molybdenum and vanadium. It also aims to support the global green economy by enhancing supply chains for electric vehicles, solar, and wind energy.
At the signing ceremony Ambassdor Henick said, “The United States and Uzbekistan must cooperate to have resilient, secure supply chains that can support the future energy landscape. This memorandum demonstrates our shared commitment to diversifying global mineral supply chains and expanding our bilateral trade relationship. We are delighted to mark another milestone in our expanding Strategic Partnership with Uzbekistan.”
EU agreement
On April 5, 2024, the EU and Uzbekistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation on critical raw materials (CRMs). Signed by EU’s Valdis Dombrovskis and Uzbekistan’s Laziz Kudratov, the partnership aims to secure a sustainable CRM supply for green and digital transitions. Key areas include integrating CRM value chains, enhancing supply chain resilience, mobilizing funding, promoting responsible production, and fostering research and innovation in sustainable mining practices and recycling.
South Korea Cooperation
Uzbekistan and South Korea partnered to tap into Uzbekistan’s vast rare earth metal resources, including tungsten and molybdenum. The collaboration focuses on refining these metals locally, with South Korea contributing $12 mn in technology and expertise. Uzbekistan aims to shift from raw material exporter to high-value producer, with sustainable extraction practices and training for Uzbek engineers.
The Importance of Critical Minerals
Critical minerals are indispensable to modern technologies, including:
- Clean Energy: Rare earths like neodymium are used in wind turbines, while lithium and cobalt power EV batteries.
- Healthcare: Platinum and rare earths are vital for medical devices and imaging technologies.
- Defense and Aerospace: Minerals like tungsten and titanium are essential for military jets, radar systems, and advanced weaponry.
- Electronics: Smartphones, laptops, and semiconductors rely on tantalum, tin, and rare earth elements.
Rubio’s remarks reflect growing U.S. concerns about the geopolitical risks of relying on adversaries for these essential resources. Uzbekistan’s proactive approach to developing its mineral sector with a diverse set of international partners could serve as a model for securing stable and sustainable global supply chains.
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