Who attended the meeting?
Rubio said that 55 countries, including South Korea, India, Thailand, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Australia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, attended the talks in Washington. These countries have varying refining and mining capabilities.
China opposes any country undermining the international economic and trade order through rules imposed by small groups, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday, after the United States unveiled plans for a preferential trade bloc of allies for critical minerals.
- South Korea to establish hotline, joint committee with China to ensure stable supply
- Diversifying sourcing also crucial, ministry says
- South Korea joins U.S.-led critical minerals trade bloc
SEOUL, Feb 5 (Reuters) - South Korea is seeking closer cooperation with China on critical mineral supply chains, its trade ministry said on Thursday, as Seoul unveiled plans to secure stable supplies of rare earths needed for cutting-edge technologies.
The announcement comes after South Korea this week joined a U.S.-led trade bloc for critical minerals with allies and partners that aims to guard against heavy reliance on China for materials strategically critical to advanced manufacturing.