Amid strained critical mineral supply chains and China’s dominance, rival powers are exploring ways to catch up. In this context, cooperation initiatives are emerging, notably between the United States and the European Union.

The United States and the European Union announced on Friday, April 24, that they had signed a memorandum of understanding on a critical minerals partnership. The agreement formalizes their intent to cooperate in the sector and lays the groundwork for future cooperation, amid intense international competition over supplies of raw materials essential to the energy transition and advanced technologies.

The event, held in Washington, D.C., brought together Secretary of State Marco Rubio and European Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič. Details of the discussions were not disclosed, and no timeline was given for concluding a binding cooperation agreement between the two parties. Bloomberg, which earlier this month reported the deal was imminent, said the partnership was expected to include investment coordination mechanisms and joint projects.

Met with EU Trade Commissioner @MarosSefcovic to discuss how to deepen U.S.-EU economic ties and sign an important MOU on Critical Minerals. The U.S. and EU share the world’s largest trade and investment relationship, and these actions only strengthen it. pic.twitter.com/tGhd586Ab0

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) April 24, 2026

Rubio said the memorandum of understanding would lead to concrete actions. He added that the combined purchasing power and economic productivity of the United States and the European Union were significant, and stressed that both sides must ensure access to critical raw materials without monopoly or excessive concentration in the hands of a single country.

Reducing Chinese Dominance Over Critical Mineral Supply Chains

While China is not explicitly mentioned, the agreement fits into the narrative the White House has advanced through several similar initiatives concluded in recent months, notably with Japan and Mexico. Both sides are seeking to reduce Beijing's dominance over critical mineral supply chains, a strategic advantage China has used in its trade rivalries with competitors.

Although these bilateral mechanisms appear to be among the preferred tools in this strategy, their actual contribution remains to be assessed. This is not the first attempt at rapprochement between Washington and Brussels on critical minerals. Cooperation had already been discussed in 2023, but did not lead to a formal agreement.

For Africa, these dynamics carry particular significance given the continent's role as a key strategic arena. Official estimates suggest the continent holds around 30 percent of global critical mineral reserves. That potential has already prompted the United States and the European Union, separately, to establish economic mechanisms aimed at expanding their presence in the region's mining sector.

Aurel Sèdjro Houenou