China Calls for 'Constructive' Action Amid U.S. Minerals Summit

(MENAFN) China issued a pointed call Wednesday for all nations to adopt a "constructive role" as Washington prepared to convene a high-stakes summit on critical minerals—a sector that has emerged as an escalating flashpoint in the strategic rivalry between the world's two largest economies.

The US is launching its first-ever Critical Minerals Ministerial Wednesday, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio receiving delegations from over 50 nations, including multiple European governments. American officials characterize the gathering as essential for bolstering supply chain cooperation and eliminating weaknesses throughout the critical minerals industry.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian declared that Beijing's stance "on maintaining the security and stability of global critical mineral industrial and supply chains remains unchanged."

Lin emphasized collective international accountability, stating that "all parties have a responsibility to play a constructive role to this end."

"Let me point out that China always maintains that countries need to follow the principles of market economy and international economic and trade rules, step on communication and dialog strongly keep the industrial and supply chain stable and unimpeded and advance the steady growth of world economy," Lin added.

Monday saw US President Donald Trump unveil plans for a strategic critical minerals reserve specifically designed to decrease American manufacturing dependence on China.

Though Trump avoided explicitly naming China, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick directly identified Beijing as the primary catalyst behind establishing the reserve, leaving no ambiguity about the initiative's geopolitical target.

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