A major critical minerals agreement is close to being finalised between the US and Ukraine, potentially ensuring Washington's support for the country, which has been engaged in war with Russia for the past three years.
However, a more important minerals partnership may be emerging between the US and Middle Eastern states, particularly Gulf countries, which could play a crucial role in Washington’s efforts to reduce reliance on China as trade tension mounts, experts and industry sources told The National.
China, the world’s second-largest economy and manufacturing hub, controls a major portion of the world's critical mineral reserves, and dominates the processing and refining of these materials, which are key to a wide range of modern technology and industry, from smartphones to military equipment.
Over the past few decades, the country has developed highly integrated supply chains, covering everything from mining and processing to manufacturing, including electric vehicles, renewable energy equipment and consumer electronics.
The US is currently trying to close the gap, and while it has access to critical minerals domestically and through allies, it severely lacks the processing infrastructure needed to refine them into materials for its massive tech and defence industries.
China dominates rare-earth production, controlling up to 90 per cent of global capacity, and uses this dominance to exert leverage through export bans and trade restrictions.
Analysts and industry participants say investors in New York and London are all about quick returns, while Chinese state-backed companies are willing to think long-term, investing in projects that could pay off down the road – even if they take a hit in the short term.
Gulf nations, rich in capital and seeking to diversify beyond oil, are well positioned to play a key role in America's investment and 'friendshoring' efforts, which involve moving manufacturing to allied or friendly countries.
“Many of the leadership in the Gulf, and even some of the companies have the ability to think a bit longer-term and a bit more strategically … and that gives them more of an ability to think more on a systems level,” said Patrick Barnes, vice president, and head of metals and mining consulting at Wood Mackenzie.
"So, the opportunity is there for certain western groups and Gulf powers to say, 'Hey, let’s cut through the noise. We all know what needs to be done here. We know it can be profitable, but we need to think about it at a systems level,'” Mr Barnes told The National.
The Emirates and Saudi Arabia have been exploring or investing in mining projects in Africa and Latin America, regions abundant in critical minerals. They are also prioritising the development of domestic processing capabilities to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and add value to their economies.
“The US is not going to reduce reliance on China for key critical minerals needed for national and economic security alone,” said Gracelin Baskaran, director of the critical minerals security programme at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
“With their financial resources, political commitment and swift advancements, Gulf countries must play a central role in a friendshoring strategy to strengthen supply chain resilience,” she told The National.
ADQ-Orion JV strikes deal
Recent developments, such as a $1.2 billion joint venture between Abu Dhabi holding company ADQ and New York-based Orion Resource Partners, highlight the growing collaboration in this sector. The venture aims to invest in metals and mining, securing supply chains for critical minerals.
Philip Clegg, Orion’s managing partner, told The National that while $1.2 billion is the current headline figure, they are already discussing investments that would exceed that amount.
The joint venture, which will invest predominantly in emerging markets, will begin with a "relatively small" investment in Morocco's copper sector, Mr Clegg said, without revealing further details.
“Whilst this initial deal is actually quite small, it's paving the way for a series of other deals that would be for part of the consolidation strategy,” he said.
The venture is also open to investing in processing and refining facilities in the Middle East but will focus mainly on mining assets because “that’s where the supply crunch really is”, he added.
The UAE is already home to a large aluminium sector, and state-owned Emirates Global Aluminium is the country’s largest industrial company outside the oil and gas sector.
Affordable electricity, sourced largely from natural gas, solar and nuclear power, has fuelled the industry's growth.
"The key question … is which critical minerals and parts of their value chain require strengths that the UAE has or can develop. And unsurprisingly, that is likely to be centred around energy or energy-adjacent sectors," Mr Barnes said.
By 2030, the UAE plans to increase the mining sector's contribution to its non-oil GDP to 5 per cent and expand the number of mining companies operating within the country by 10 per cent.
Unlike the UAE, Saudi Arabia is rich in untapped mineral resources, estimated at $2.5 trillion. These include significant deposits of gold, copper, phosphate, iron ore and rare-earth elements.
The kingdom is also actively exploring and acquiring international mining assets through its sovereign wealth Public Investment Fund and its joint venture, Manara Minerals.
Domestically, Ma'aden, a state-run mining company, is leading Saudi Arabia's mining development. In 2023, Ma'aden teamed up with US-based Ivanhoe Electric to explore for metals within the kingdom's mineral-rich Arabian Shield region.
Saudi Arabia is also attracting midstream investment, with India’s Vedanta recently committing $2 billion to copper projects, including a smelter and refinery.
Deep reliance
Over the past few years, the Biden administration had introduced several key legislative acts to reduce US reliance on China for critical mineral supply chains. These include the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act.
In addition to these domestic policies, the US government has also established two international partnerships to enhance mineral security.
The Minerals Security Partnership, a collaborative forum, includes nations from Europe and East Asia, as well as Australia, Canada and India.
Meanwhile, the IRA provides electric vehicle tax credits to countries that have either free trade agreements or critical minerals agreements with the US.
Despite these initiatives, the US continues to be heavily dependent on China for essential critical minerals, vital for national, economic and energy security. China remains the primary supplier for 24 of the 50 minerals designated as critical by the US Geological Survey.
An F-35 aircraft, which is manufactured by American defence company Lockheed Martin, requires about 410kg of rare-earth elements, according to the US Department of Defence.
In response to US tariffs, China recently restricted exports of five key metals used in defence and clean energy.
China has introduced strict export controls on "dual-use" technology and has enacted a full ban on shipments of antimony, gallium and germanium to the US.
Trump creates opportunities and challenges
Although US President Donald Trump could curb domestic demand for critical minerals by rolling back renewable energy and electric vehicle-friendly policies like the IRA, these minerals are currently a key focus of his foreign policy.
On Tuesday, Mr Trump announced the US and Ukraine had reached a draft agreement on critical minerals, which he estimated could be worth about $1 trillion.
Analysts believe Ukraine's proposed deal is a strategy to ensure support from the Trump administration, especially given worries about US-Russia diplomacy regarding the war.
Geopolitical tension complicates talks but could also spur deals, as multi-issue negotiations may lead to compromises otherwise thought impractical, experts said.
“Looking at the current transactional approach of the Trump administration, there is definitely room for a proactive critical minerals policy and co-operation with Gulf states,” Cyril Widdershoven, an analyst at the think tank Strategy International, told The National.
He said the Gulf could emerge as a potential investor in Ukraine's critical mineral assets, a step that might strengthen the region's alignment with Mr Trump’s strategic interests.
US-Gulf economic relations are expected to grow under Mr Trump, who has built strong connections with regional leaders through his business ventures and previous stint in the White House.
However, his plan to annex Gaza has faced widespread criticism in the Arab world, straining these ties and potentially jeopardising a deal to establish relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
For the US and Gulf to team up on critical minerals, Washington needs to adopt a more “balanced” foreign policy, Ms Baskaran said.
“When President Trump was elected, he had strong backing from allies such as Saudi Arabia. With the right foreign policy approach, Saudi Arabia could provide substantial investment, foster minerals co-operation and contribute to stability in the Middle East. Taking over Gaza is not an option,” she added.
“Gaining control of Gaza would not promote economic collaboration or partnerships in the mineral sector.”
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
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Boulder shooting victims
• Denny Strong, 20
• Neven Stanisic, 23
• Rikki Olds, 25
• Tralona Bartkowiak, 49
• Suzanne Fountain, 59
• Teri Leiker, 51
• Eric Talley, 51
• Kevin Mahoney, 61
• Lynn Murray, 62
• Jody Waters, 65
Rooney's club record
At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17
At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
PREMIER LEAGUE STATS
Romelu Lukaku's goalscoring statistics in the Premier League
Season/club/appearances (substitute)/goals
2011/12 Chelsea: 8(7) - 0
2012/13 West Brom (loan): 35(15) - 17
2013/14 Chelsea: 2(2) - 0
2013/14 Everton (loan): 31(2) - 15
2014/15 Everton: 36(4) - 10
2015/16 Everton: 37(1) - 18
2016/17 Everton: 37(1) - 25
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
MATCH INFO
Uefa Nations League
League A, Group 4
Spain v England, 10.45pm (UAE)
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Rock in a Hard Place: Music and Mayhem in the Middle East
Orlando Crowcroft
Zed Books
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Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
History's medical milestones
1799 - First small pox vaccine administered
1846 - First public demonstration of anaesthesia in surgery
1861 - Louis Pasteur published his germ theory which proved that bacteria caused diseases
1895 - Discovery of x-rays
1923 - Heart valve surgery performed successfully for first time
1928 - Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin
1953 - Structure of DNA discovered
1952 - First organ transplant - a kidney - takes place
1954 - Clinical trials of birth control pill
1979 - MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, scanned used to diagnose illness and injury.
1998 - The first adult live-donor liver transplant is carried out
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Day 3, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Just three balls remained in an exhausting day for Sri Lanka’s bowlers when they were afforded some belated cheer. Nuwan Pradeep, unrewarded in 15 overs to that point, let slip a seemingly innocuous delivery down the legside. Babar Azam feathered it behind, and Niroshan Dickwella dived to make a fine catch.
Stat of the day - 2.56 Shan Masood and Sami Aslam are the 16th opening partnership Pakistan have had in Tests in the past five years. That turnover at the top of the order – a new pair every 2.56 Test matches on average – is by far the fastest rate among the leading Test sides. Masood and Aslam put on 114 in their first alliance in Abu Dhabi.
The verdict Even by the normal standards of Test cricket in the UAE, this has been slow going. Pakistan’s run-rate of 2.38 per over is the lowest they have managed in a Test match in this country. With just 14 wickets having fallen in three days so far, it is difficult to see 26 dropping to bring about a result over the next two.
Conservative MPs who have publicly revealed sending letters of no confidence
- Steve Baker
- Peter Bone
- Ben Bradley
- Andrew Bridgen
- Maria Caulfield
- Simon Clarke
- Philip Davies
- Nadine Dorries
- James Duddridge
- Mark Francois
- Chris Green
- Adam Holloway
- Andrea Jenkyns
- Anne-Marie Morris
- Sheryll Murray
- Jacob Rees-Mogg
- Laurence Robertson
- Lee Rowley
- Henry Smith
- Martin Vickers
- John Whittingdale
THE BIO
Ambition: To create awareness among young about people with disabilities and make the world a more inclusive place
Job Title: Human resources administrator, Expo 2020 Dubai
First jobs: Co-ordinator with Magrudy Enterprises; HR coordinator at Jumeirah Group
Entrepreneur: Started his own graphic design business
Favourite singer: Avril Lavigne
Favourite travel destination: Germany and Saudi Arabia
Family: Six sisters
RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES
September 30
South Africa v Australia
Argentina v New Zealand
October 7
South Africa v New Zealand
Argentina v Australia
UAE gold medallists:
Omar Al Suweidi (46kg), Khaled Al Shehhi (50kg), Khalifa Humaid Al Kaabi (60kg), Omar Al Fadhli (62kg), Mohammed Ali Al Suweidi (66kg), Omar Ahmed Al Hosani (73), all in the U18’s, and Khalid Eskandar Al Blooshi (56kg) in the U21s.
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
Last 10 winners of African Footballer of the Year
2006: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2007: Frederic Kanoute (Sevilla and Mali)
2008: Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal and Togo)
2009: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2010: Samuel Eto’o (Inter Milan and Cameroon)
2011: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2012: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2013: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2014: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2015: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund and Gabon)
2016: Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City and Algeria)
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on animal trafficking
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Sri Lanka v England
First Test, at Galle
England won by 211
Second Test, at Kandy
England won by 57 runs
Third Test, at Colombo
From Nov 23-27
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'Unrivaled: Why America Will Remain the World’s Sole Superpower'
Michael Beckley, Cornell Press
