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Commodities March 12, 2026

Chile and U.S. Launch Talks on Critical Minerals and Rare Earths

Officials set a near-term meeting as Washington seeks alternatives to Chinese supply for key mineral inputs

By Maya Rios
Chile and U.S. Launch Talks on Critical Minerals and Rare Earths

Chile and the United States have issued a joint statement initiating formal discussions on critical minerals and rare earths, with the first meeting scheduled within the next two weeks. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said the two countries will explore ways to bolster mineral supply chains, a priority as the U.S. seeks to lower dependence on China. Chile's status as the largest copper producer and the second-largest lithium producer underlines its strategic role in these talks.

Key Points

  • Chile and the United States have signed a joint statement to start discussions on critical minerals and rare earths; the first meeting is planned within two weeks - impacts mining and international trade sectors.
  • U.S. officials are seeking to reduce dependence on China for these materials, which are used in electric vehicles, semiconductors, defense systems and consumer electronics - relevant to auto, technology, defense and electronics markets.
  • Chile's role as the worlds largest copper producer and second-largest lithium producer positions it as a strategic partner in efforts to diversify mineral supply chains - important for commodities and energy transition sectors.

Overview

Chile and the United States have agreed to start talks focused on critical minerals and rare earths, the Chilean foreign ministry said on Thursday. The two governments signed a joint statement to trigger discussions, and officials indicated that the first meeting will occur within the next two weeks.

U.S. objectives and context

U.S. policymakers have been pursuing strategies to reduce reliance on China for supplies of critical minerals and rare earths. These materials are integral to a range of technologies, including electric vehicles, semiconductors, defense systems and consumer electronics. In that context, the new Chile-U.S. engagement is intended to explore coordination and potential steps to strengthen alternative supply chains.

Comments from U.S. official

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, speaking to journalists in Chile, said: "I believe there is much we can do with the United States and Chile to strengthen the supply chains of these minerals." He added: "We will discuss how we can work together." Those remarks came while he was in Chile, where right-wing Jose Antonio Kast was sworn in as president on Wednesday.

Chile's resource position

Chile's mining profile makes it an important partner in any discussion over mineral supply. The country is the world's largest producer of copper and the second-largest producer of lithium, two commodities that figure prominently in modern industrial supply chains and in technologies cited by U.S. officials.

Near-term schedule

According to the Chilean foreign ministry's announcement, the dialogue will begin promptly, with the inaugural meeting set to take place within the next two weeks. Beyond that initial session, no additional dates, participants or specific agenda items were outlined in the statement released on Thursday.

Reporting note: The information in this report is based on the joint statement from Chile's foreign ministry and remarks attributed to a U.S. official during a visit to Chile.

Risks

  • Reliance on a single major supplier - the article notes U.S. efforts to lower dependence on China for critical minerals and rare earths, a supply-chain risk affecting manufacturing and defense sectors.
  • Political transition in Chile - the article notes Jose Antonio Kast was sworn in as president, an element that could influence bilateral discussions though no specific effects were detailed.
  • Uncertainty in near-term outcomes - while an initial meeting is scheduled within two weeks, the article does not specify further commitments, timelines or concrete measures, leaving future progress unclear.

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