U.S. outlines outcomes of Critical Minerals Ministerial: new agreements, FORGE launch, $30 billion in projects

• StatementCritical Minerals Ministerial held in Washington on Feb. 4, 2026 with 54-country attendance
• MisleadingMinisterial announcements include joint projects totaling over $30 billion for critical-minerals supply chains
• TrueDFC has provided financing support for Brazil's Serra Verde and Aclara projects, U.S. official says

Key takeaways

• The Critical Minerals Ministerial took place in Washington, D.C., on February 4, 2026, with delegations from 54 countries and the European Commission attending.
• The United States announced bilateral framework agreements with Argentina, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru to cooperate on critical minerals development and investment.
• The U.S. launched the Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement (FORGE), building on the Minerals Security Partnership, to coordinate policy and project support among partners.
• Officials announced joint projects totaling over $30 billion aimed at mining, processing, refining, and recycling critical minerals across the Americas.
• The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has provided financing for Brazilian projects (named: Serra Verde and Aclara) and the U.S. signaled interest in supporting processing capacity in Brazil.
• The Administration proposed a price-floor/reference-price mechanism for critical minerals markets; the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is designated to lead details on price-floor arrangements.
• U.S. officials said the initiative aims to de-risk and diversify supply chains and maintain "high standards," and stressed it is not intended as retaliation against China.
• On Venezuela, the U.S. described a three-step approach focused on stabilization, economic recovery, and ensuring resource revenues benefit the Venezuelan people.

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