Supply Chain
Canberra looks to strategic reserve to help allies cut dependence on China

A rare earth mining site in China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. China is using its rare earth dominance as a geopolitical trump card. © Kyodo
SOPHIE MAK
January 20, 2026 11:54 JST
SYDNEY — Australia and Japan have a history of collaboration on critical minerals, and recent export curbs by Beijing are encouraging the two nations to cooperate even more closely to build an alternative supply chain for the ingredients used in everything from batteries to wind turbines. The question, experts say, is how to translate political enthusiasm into commercially viable strategy.