June 30, 2025 - Well it seems, when it comes to China, we’ve got a deal! China has pledged to approve export applications for rare earths to the U.S., addressing a pivotal point in US-China trade negotiations, and likely a great relief to the auto manufacturers who have reportedly been on the cusp of shutting down operations at points. In a written statement, China’s Commerce Ministry confirmed details of a deal in which Beijing promised to “review and approve eligible export applications for controlled items in accordance with the law.” U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick yesterday confirmed an agreement between the two countries was signed earlier this week.

And while that deal is very good news, a deal that is much less certain is in Congress, where House Republicans are reportedly taking issue with the Senate’s lighter touch to the rollback of Inflation Reduction Act tax credits in the One Big Beautiful Bill. While some are looking to immediately cut solar and wind energy tax credits, others are looking to phase them out in a way that protects some projects and jobs. We’ll likely see movement on this today as the Senate prepares for a vote, even while key details like these remain up for debate. 

Finally, Russian forces have reportedly seized control of a significant lithium deposit in eastern Ukraine, revealing a vulnerability in the U.S.–Ukraine minerals deal. The deposit is considered one of Ukraine’s most valuable because of its rich concentration of the mineral that is essential for manufacturing batteries. The news further underscores that the best way to secure U.S. minerals supply chains is right here at home, with U.S.-mined minerals.

That’s your Mining Minute for this morning, highlighting some of the mining-related matters that are on our minds here in Washington and beyond. Follow us on the National Mining Association’s channels, as well as on Minerals Make Life and Count on Coal, for more on the latest news and policies impacting mining.