Assignment example

Final draft: (Provide the link when you are done. Below is our sample)

U.S. Accelerates ‘Resource Alliance’ Against China’s Weaponization of Rare Earths, Strengthening Ties with Central Asia, Australia, and Japan | The Economy

Below is our guide for you to write an article as above.

• Reference article: Trump discusses rare earth metals with Central Asian leaders | AP News

• Lead-in: Its' not just for Kazakhstan, or central Asia in general. Trump tries to expand its Quad initiative in a way to secure more rare earth suppliers, which includes Malaysia from Southeast Asia.

Talking Point

1.Reference

• Trump meets Central Asian leaders to boost critical mineral ties | Reuters
• Trump’s Asia tour moved to counter China’s critical minerals dominance | Chatham House – International Affairs Think Tank

2.For the Quad, given what they have seen with China weaponizing critical minerals for the past a few months, it's a growing and deadly concern. Trump runs everywhere to find potential allies for his fight to secure rare earths

• The Quad digs deep for critical mineral supply chain resilience | East Asia Forum
• US and Australia sign rare earths deal to counter China's dominance
• Ahead of APEC, Trump Signs Flurry of Bilateral Minerals Agreements on Asia Tour
• Trump’s $8.5 Billion Effort to Secure a Rare Earths Supply Chain

Up until September, it looked like Trump wanted to stick to the Quad, but extended talks with Malaysia and central Asia tell us how desperate he is to secure the reliant supply.

3.But, given what China has done to keep its strategic position over critical minerals, Trump's futile attempt to catch up what China has done for the past three decades cannot be easily overcome.

• U.S. Loses Rare Earth Dominance to China Amid Strategic Oversight
• Detailed Timeline: China’s Rare Earth Restrictions and Strategic Moves | Rare Earth Exchanges Forum

and,

• Putin orders road map for Russian rare earths, eyes China and North Korea links | South China Morning Post

Given the alliance among Russia, China, and North Korea, along with potential extension to BRICS, for rare earths, it looks like there will be another bloc economy trade item between the Quad and BRICS, after Nvidia's Blackwell.