S. Korea to Chair U.S. Critical Minerals Forum
FORGE, established to replace the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), seeks to transform global commerce in critical minerals and rare earth elements.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the forum will lead "with bold and decisive action to address ongoing challenges in the global critical minerals marketplace."
Officials unveiled the decision during the 2026 Critical Minerals Ministerial, convened Wednesday by Vice President JD Vance, Rubio, and additional senior administration figures.
Representatives from 54 nations, comprising 43 foreign ministers plus the European Commission, participated in the gathering.
During his ministerial address, Vance revealed the Trump administration's strategy to establish a critical minerals "preferential trade zone" alongside allied countries.
The objective involves preventing inexpensive critical minerals from saturating US markets and undermining domestic producers—an apparent reference to Chinese commercial strategies.
Beijing dismissed the initiative Thursday, characterizing it as a "small-circle" approach.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said maintaining an open, inclusive and mutually beneficial international trade environment serves the common interests of all nations.
"China opposes any country undermining the international economic and trade order through 'small-circle rules," he told reporters in Beijing.
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