News Center

U.S., Japan, Australia, and India Reach Quad Critical Minerals Initiative Framework

The United States, Japan, Australia and India (the Quad partners) are committed to supporting secure critical minerals supply chains, which are vital to advanced technologies, economic growth and the resilience of our industrial bases. Through the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, the Quad partners will jointly use economic policy tools and coordinate investment to accelerate the development of diversified and fair critical minerals markets and support critical minerals supply essential to regional economic and security.

This framework defines key areas for Quad cooperation on critical minerals supply chains on the basis of fully respecting each partner’s domestic policies and priorities.

I. Investment and Project Development

The Quad partners aim to mobilize up to $20 billion in public and private sector support through new and existing initiatives to strengthen critical minerals supply chains (including mining, processing and recycling). Specific actions include:

Identifying Quad-linked projects, such as those located in Quad countries, operated by Quad-headquartered firms or supplying Quad markets, to fill critical gaps in critical minerals supply chains; supporting strategic critical minerals projects through export credit agencies, development finance institutions, private capital mobilization and, as appropriate, other public support tools such as guarantees, loans, equity participation, insurance, subsidies and offtake or other commercial arrangements; exploring new mechanisms to help mobilize private capital and strengthen critical minerals supply chains in Quad countries and the region.

II. Regulatory Coordination and Enabling Environment

The Quad partners aim to improve the enabling environment for critical minerals development, as appropriate and consistent with their respective domestic laws, and explore the feasibility of coordinated measures to address non-market policies and unfair trade practices, such as high-standard markets, price mechanisms or other tools.

III. Critical Minerals Recovery and Recycling

The Quad partners plan to work together to improve the recovery and utilization of critical minerals from e-waste and other scrap materials to optimize supply chains. They will promote the recycling and reuse of critical minerals contained therein and streamline import/export procedures for such scrap in Quad countries and among like-minded nations, consistent with each partner’s domestic laws and applicable international obligations.