U.S. Critical Minerals Proposals to Brazil Unanswered Amid China's Influence
Brazil has not responded to two proposals from the United States aimed at formalizing cooperation on critical minerals, according to Matthew Lowe, economic counselor at the U.S. embassy in Brasilia. The U.S. invited Brazil to join the Minerals Security Partnership, a U.S.-led initiative coordinating investment in mineral supply chains, years ago, but received no response. A draft framework agreement sent in February also went unanswered. This lack of engagement leaves the U.S. without a bilateral deal with Brazil as it seeks to build rare earth supply chains independent of China. Brazil holds the world's second-largest reserves of rare earths after China, making it a crucial potential partner for the U.S. in securing these vital resources. The U.S. embassy is now pursuing agreements at the state level, though these efforts have faced scrutiny regarding the authority of state governors to strike mineral deals with foreign powers. 
