Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a press conference at the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting at the Sate Department in Washington on Feb. 4, 2026. Oliver Contreras/AFP via Getty ImagesThe United States hosted more than 55 countries at the first Critical Minerals Ministerial on Feb. 4, announcing the creation of a preferential trade zone meant to offer members predictable and stable conditions for reentering the industry.During the opening speeches, much mention was made of the leverage Beijing wielded last year when it threatened to subject the world’s supply to Chinese regime approval on a case-by-case basis, but officials did not mention China by name.
US Creates Critical Minerals Preferential Trade Zone
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