The European Union (EU) and the United States (US) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a strategic partnership on critical minerals and agreed on an EU–US Critical Minerals Action Plan to deepen cooperation on critical raw materials.
The initiatives aim to support supply chain resilience and diversification in the context of ongoing geopolitical and economic challenges.
The MoU was signed in Washington, DC, by European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Šefčovič and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. It formalizes the EU–US strategic partnership to develop secure and sustainable critical mineral supply chains.
The agreement provides for cooperation across the full value chain, including exploration, extraction, processing, refining, recycling, and recovery.
The MoU covers areas such as innovation, investment, and geological mapping, as well as measures addressing both supply and demand.
In addition, Šefčovič and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer set out an action plan for Critical Minerals Supply Chain Resilience, which outlines a pathway towards a possible plurilateral trade initiative with global partners.
Under the Action Plan, both sides intend to examine a range of trade policies and instruments to support coordinated international action.
These include border-adjusted price mechanisms, standards-based markets, price gap support measures, and offtake agreements.
The cooperation is also expected to include the development of common standards for mining, processing and recycling, promotion of investment, joint research and innovation, stockpiling strategies, and mechanisms for responding to supply disruptions.
Both parties will continue engagement on critical mineral resilience through international platforms, including the Group of Seven and the Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement.
The MoU and Action Plan follow commitments made at the Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting held in Washington, DC, on February 4, 2026, with participation from Japan, and are consistent with the EU–US Joint Statement of August 21, 2025.
