Trump Proposes Rare Earth Minerals as Compensation for U.S. Aid to Ukraine

Former U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he wants Ukraine to supply the United States with rare earth minerals as a form of repayment for financial support provided during its conflict with Russia. Speaking at the White House, Trump said Ukraine was open to the proposal and emphasized the need for "equalization" in return for what he described as "close to $300 billion" in U.S. aid.

Trump indicated that discussions were ongoing for a deal where Ukraine would secure U.S. support through its rare earth minerals and other resources. However, it remains unclear if he was referring specifically to rare earth elements or a broader category of critical minerals.

Rare earths, a group of 17 metals, are essential in the production of magnets used in electric vehicles, cell phones, and other electronics. The U.S. Geological Survey identifies 50 minerals as critical to the country’s economy and national defense, including nickel and lithium. Ukraine has significant deposits of uranium, lithium, and titanium, though none rank among the world's largest reserves. Meanwhile, the United States has limited rare earth mining and processing capacity, with China dominating global production.