President Donald J. Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a series of economic and defense agreements Monday, securing over $3 billion in critical mineral investments and billions more in military purchases.
The centerpiece Critical Minerals Framework will see both governments invest more than $3 billion in mineral projects within the next six months, with recoverable resources worth an estimated $53 billion, according to the White House.
The Department of War will fund the construction of a 100-metric-ton-per-year advanced gallium refinery in Western Australia, advancing U.S. self-reliance in processing critical minerals used in semiconductors and defense systems.
Australia committed to major defense purchases, including $1.2 billion in Anduril unmanned underwater vehicles and $2.6 billion in Apache helicopters. Since February, Canberra has contributed $1 billion to expand U.S. submarine infrastructure, with another $1 billion pledged by year’s end.
The nations also agreed to develop a bilateral Technology Prosperity Deal for cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and other emerging technologies. NASA and the Australian Space Agency signed a framework agreement for space cooperation, with Australia contributing a lunar rover to NASA’s Artemis program.
The deals expand market access for U.S. beef in Australia and reinforce munitions supply chains supporting more than 200 manufacturers in Texas, Florida, Arkansas, and Alabama.