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

20260114 China Mine

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

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.