The United States, Japan and the European Union are preparing to announce plans for a new trade framework aimed at strengthening supply chains for critical minerals and reducing dependence on China, according to people familiar with the discussions
The initiative is expected to lay the groundwork for a broader plurilateral trade agreement covering key minerals used in electric vehicles, clean energy technologies and advanced manufacturing Negotiations are being led by the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) in coordination with officials in Brussels and Tokyo
Officials involved in the talks say the framework may include coordinated trade policies such as price floors, tariffs and other market mechanisms designed to counter price distortions linked to Chinese supply
