No images? Click here
The Quad's economic
security imperative
15 July 2026
As US President Donald Trump reinstates a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz and global interest points back to the Middle East, the increasing relevance of critical minerals for national security continues to be a focus for the Quad governments (Australia, Japan, India and the United States).
Just last week, during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Melbourne for the Third Australia–India Annual Summit, the two countries reaffirmed cooperation on critical minerals, including a “refreshed MOU between Geoscience Australia and Geological Survey of India.” This comes after Australia and Japan announced critical minerals as a “core pillar” of their economic security relationship during Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s visit to Australia in May. Similarly, on 13 July, the Pentagon announced a US$25 million investment with ReElement Technologies to expand US critical minerals refining capacity.
While such individual and bilateral steps are being taken to strengthen critical minerals security, USSC Director of Economic Security Hayley Channer and Research Fellow Robert Monterosso outline ways forward for the Quad in the recently published “Operationalising the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative.” Drawn from a workshop bringing more than 30 experts, policymakers, and industry stakeholders from across the Quad countries, the report argues that to mitigate critical minerals strategic vulnerability, the Quad should work together on tax system alignment, targeted R&D investment and deepened strategic coordination across the Quad.
As geopolitical uncertainty grows and competition for critical minerals intensifies, deeper cooperation between the Quad countries will be increasingly important to strengthening economic resilience and reducing strategic vulnerabilities.
Han-Keul Page
Media and Publications Officer
Lead image: Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 10 July 2026. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake via Getty Images)
"Strengthening our domestic refining capacity for rare earth elements and other critical minerals is a national security imperative."
Recent content
COMMENTARYTrump wants to make daylight saving time permanent — but some fear the move would be a nightmareIn an op-ed for The Conversation, Senior Research Associate Samuel Garrett shines a light on the news this week that the US House of Representatives voted to make daylight saving time permanent in the United States. His analysis shows that under the policy, almost 90% of Americans could experience sunrises after 8 am in winter. |
COMMENTARYAnkara in the spotlight: NATO Summit 2026In a recent commentary, 2025 USSC Visiting Fellow Dr Christian E Rieck writes that at a time of escalating global instability, the Ankara Summit could become a turning point for NATO, highlighting both its internal strains and Turkey’s growing ambition to shape its own strategic agenda. |
EVENTImpact of the Supreme Court rulings on Trump 2.0To discuss the final rulings of this year’s Supreme Court docket, USSC hosted a special event featuring co-host of ABC’s Planet America Chas Licciardello and USSC Honorary Associate Dr Harry Melkonian in conversation with USSC Director of Economic Security Hayley Channer. |
PODCASTUSSC Briefing Room | America at 250: Addressing the contradictions in the Declaration of Independence in an Australian classroomIn the third episode in the series of podcast with authors of America at 250, we are speaking with Academic Director and Senior Lecturer Dr Rodney Taviera about his article “The Declaration of Independence in the Australian classroom.” |
In the news
ABC | Fuel cost tipped to rise as US-Iran conflict flares
USSC Director of Economic Security Hayley Channer spoke with ABC on the resumed strikes between the United States and Iran, saying it is inevitable that fuel prices will rise again in Australia if the two adversaries continue to attack each other.
Nikkei Asia | Asian allies build up missile production as US stockpile dwindles
USSC Research Fellow Tom Corben spoke with Nikkei Asia on the lagging US arms production targets, saying "there's no real alternative source of long-range strike or interceptor weapons for us (in Australia) or for any of the other major militaries in Asia who would be conceivably part of a coalition against China, if something went up over Taiwan or in the South China Sea."
SBS | How Donald Trump is trying to reshape American elections
Speaking on the Supreme Court ruling that states are free to count mail-in ballots that arrive after the election as long as they were cast on time, USSC Honorary Associate Dr Harry Melkonian said the court has effectively been acting as a "referee" on federal government moves.
SBS | Unexpected passing of Trump ally Lindsey Graham sends shocks through Republican party ahead of midterms
USSC Director of Research Jared Mondschein spoke with SBS about the passing of US Senator Lindsey Graham and what his death means for the future of the Republican Party in the Senate.
Upcoming event
PUBLIC FORUM
The making of America's first Pacific Century: A conversation with historian Christopher Capozzola
Amid rising strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific, US relations with nations such as the Philippines are increasingly in the global spotlight. But the history of the United States in the Indo-Pacific extends well beyond the modern age and is often forgotten. International migration, conflict and war have shaped a century of US Indo-Pacific influence and alliances, with implications for the modern day.
What is the history of US involvement in the Indo-Pacific? How did the US-Philippines alliance shape a century of US foreign policy? What do the lessons of history teach us about the present moment in US-Pacific relations?
To answer these questions, please join us for a discussion with MIT Professor of History Christopher Capozzola, in conversation with USSC CEO Dr Michael Green.
DATE AND TIME
20 July 2026
6.00pm–7.00pm AEST
WHERE
Auditorium, The Michael Spence Building (F23) at the Corner of Eastern Avenue and City Road, The University of Sydney
DETAILS
Free, but registration is essential
Manage your email preferences | Forward this email to a friend
United States Studies Centre
Institute Building (H03)
University of Sydney NSW 2006