U.S. signs trade and critical-minerals deals with Southeast Asian partners

Donald Trump announced that the U.S. has finalised new trade and critical-minerals agreements with partners in Southeast Asia including Thailand and Malaysia. The deals aim to reduce dependency on China’s supply chain dominance in rare-earths and diversify import sources of essential minerals for the U.S. manufacturing and defence base. Analysts view the agreements as part of a broader pivot in global trade strategy, with potential positive implications for mining, processing and technology sectors across the region.