Australia and the United States committed more than $3.5 billion in backing for Australian critical minerals projects, up sharply from the minimum $2 billion combined financing target set under their October 2025 bilateral framework, Reuters reported on April 12. The support includes backing for a new rare earths facility, a major nickel project, a project to recover gallium used in semiconductors and defense equipment, and one of Australia's flagship rare earth mines and processing hubs.

The push reflects urgency to build non-China supply chains for critical minerals, especially after Beijing tightened export controls on a growing list of critical minerals and alloys, including gallium and several rare earths. It also aligns with broader efforts around the two countries' AUKUS pact, reaffirmed in October 2025, and also includes the United Kingdom, as Australia's role in supplying strategic minerals is increasingly important to sustaining defense industrial supply chains.