Santiago, March 13 (SANA) – Chile has signed a memorandum of understanding with the United States to cooperate on the supply of critical rare minerals, Chile’s Foreign Ministry announced Friday.
According to a ministry statement cited by AFP, the agreement commits both countries to exploring public and private financing mechanisms for investment projects related to critical minerals. The ministry said mutual support in securing these resources is essential for national security and commercial industries in both countries.
The signing ceremony was overseen by Chile’s newly inaugurated president, José Antonio Kast, on his first day in office. The joint declaration launching consultations on critical minerals was signed by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Chilean Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna.
Kast assumed office following controversy surrounding a proposed undersea fiber-optic cable project linking Chile and Hong Kong, which prompted Washington to impose sanctions on three officials from the administration of former president Gabriel Boric before the project was later withdrawn.
Chile is the world’s largest producer of copper and the second-largest producer of lithium, two key minerals used in technology and clean-energy industries. Meanwhile, China—which dominates the global supply chain for many critical minerals—is the largest importer of both resources from Chile.
The agreement comes as U.S. President Donald Trump continues efforts to strengthen Washington’s economic influence in Latin America amid growing competition with China.
Kh.A
