U.S.-Russia Interests Converge over Rare Earths: Understanding Washington's Stake
As of early August 2025, there is no publicly reported rare earth metals deal specifically between the United States and Russia. Instead, the current strategic minerals and rare earth metals dynamics involve a U.S.-Ukraine minerals agreement and tense negotiations between the United States and China over rare earth magnet supply chains.
The U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal aims to leverage Ukraine's significant rare earth and critical mineral deposits to counter China’s dominance. However, ongoing Russian military actions occupying mineral-rich Ukrainian territories and infrastructure damage pose challenges to this agreement.
Meanwhile, the U.S. and China are negotiating to stabilize rare earth magnet trade disrupted by China’s export controls earlier in 2025. The ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict directly affects access to critical mineral deposits, as about 40% of Ukraine’s mineral resources and a majority of its rare earths are in conflict zones controlled or contested by Russia.
Regarding Russia, the main related development is a petition by South African company Sibanye-Stillwater requesting U.S. tariffs on Russian palladium imports, citing unfair pricing after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. This reflects continuing economic decoupling from Russia in critical minerals rather than collaboration.
The political-economic standoff between America and China involves a potential deal regarding rare earth metals with Russia. Moscow has signaled its readiness to strike a mineral deal with Washington, a topic discussed during the visit of the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Kirill Dmitriev, to the U.S.
According to economist Vasily Kolotashov, Russia and the United States view the potential deal differently. While American companies are only interested in receiving money from any deal, Russia could offer Americans the opportunity to invest in rare earth metal development in Russia, potentially receiving a share of the product.
It is important to note that the first scheme proposed by Moscow does not involve American businesses providing any technologies. Russia, as a resource superpower, aims for a self-sufficient and independent economy.
In conclusion, while no confirmed U.S.-Russia rare earth metals deal exists, the U.S. engages in a strategic minerals agreement with Ukraine amid conflict with Russia. Simultaneously, the U.S. is negotiating with China to stabilize rare earth supply chains. The Ukrainian conflict is central because control over rare earth resources there is contested and tied to broader geopolitical contestation involving the U.S., Russia, and China.
- The political-economic standoff between America and China resembles a potential deal regarding rare earth metals with Russia, a topic discussed during the visit of the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Kirill Dmitriev, to the U.S.
- Despite Moscow signaling its readiness for a mineral deal with Washington, the first proposed scheme does not involve American businesses providing any technologies, as Russia aims for a self-sufficient and independent economy.
