News Analysis
The announcement by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that the United States and Australia would embark on a number of joint investments totalling more than $4.6 billion (US$3 billion) is aimed at breaking Beijing’s strangehold on the world’s production of rare earth elements.
In particular, gallium is deemed a strategic risk—identified decades ago but is only now being addressed.
The U.S. Department of War is joining with the Australian government to invest in a gallium refinery capable of producing 100 metric tons a year, which will be co-located at Alcoa’s Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia….