Brazil participates in meeting on critical minerals with US Vice President
The government says the decision requires bilateral analysis and a focus on added value.
247 - Brazil participated in a meeting held in the United States where US Vice President JD Vance presented a proposal to create a trade bloc focused on critical minerals, but the Brazilian government is still evaluating whether it will formally join the initiative. According to members of the federal administration, any decision will depend on an in-depth analysis of the concrete benefits for the country. The Brazilian Foreign Ministry confirmed to Reuters that Brazil was present at the meeting through its Embassy in Washington, without detailing whether there will be accession or how eventual participation could occur.
US proposal and Brazilian caution
According to a source in the Brazilian government, the country is open to international partnerships, provided they bring added value to the national economy. The internal assessment is that the issue involves a complex and strategic agenda, requiring bilateral treatment and ruling out the possibility of a swift decision.
The initiative comes amid intensified efforts by the US administration under President Donald Trump to secure the US supply of critical minerals. The strategy gained momentum after China restricted the supply of rare earth elements essential to automakers and other industrial sectors last year, impacting global markets.
Global interest and mineral potential of Brazil
In this context, Brazil has become the target of greater interest from the United States and other countries, due to its potential for the exploration of critical minerals such as rare earths, copper, nickel, and niobium. The same source stated that the Brazilian government is preparing to begin talks regarding a possible trip by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) to Washington, and that the topic could be included on the agenda if it is a priority for the Americans.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy stated that it is open to dialogue and international initiatives "in line with national interests and the principles of the country's economic and social development." The ministry added that Brazilian actions are guided by strengthening international cooperation, attracting investment, technological and industrial development, and integrating Brazil into global value chains.
US strategy and billion-dollar funding
According to the ministry, this dialogue involves different partners, including the United States, the European Union, China, and other strategic actors. In parallel, commissions from various parts of the world have been seeking out mining companies operating in Brazil and holding meetings with the Brazilian Mining Institute, which represents companies such as Vale, BHP, and Anglo American.
Specifically regarding rare earth elements, Brazil possesses the second-largest global reserves, behind only China, although it still has few projects under development. On Monday, Donald Trump launched a strategic US package for critical minerals, called Project Vault, with $10 billion in initial funding from the US Export-Import Bank and $2 billion in private resources.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that 55 countries participated in the negotiations in Washington, including South Korea, India, Thailand, Japan, Germany, Australia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, all with varying mining or refining capabilities.
