US Hosts Critical Minerals Conference Amidst Economic Fluctuations and AI Concerns
Washington, D.C. - The United States hosted ministers from dozens of countries this week for a critical minerals conference, aiming to strengthen and diversify national stockpiles of these essential resources, according to Al Jazeera. The conference, held in Washington, D.C., focused on the importance of critical minerals for the defense industry and the development of artificial intelligence.
The meeting comes at a time of economic uncertainty, with fluctuating mortgage rates and rising precious metal prices impacting investors. CBS News reported that mortgage rates remain high, presenting challenges for prospective homebuyers and those looking to refinance. Simultaneously, silver prices have surged, increasing by more than 200% since January 2025, while gold continues to be viewed as a safe-haven asset amid market volatility.
One of the key agenda items was the possibility of setting a minimum price for critical minerals, a proposal supported by many participating countries, Al Jazeera noted. However, the U.S. was reportedly backing away from this suggestion. On Monday, President Donald Trump addressed the conference attendees.
Meanwhile, concerns regarding data privacy in the tech sector have also surfaced. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is pressing Google for more information about its plans to integrate a checkout feature into its Gemini AI chatbot, The Verge reported. In a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Warren expressed concerns that the integration could allow Google to share user data with retail partners. Warren is seeking details about the types of data Google will send to retail partners and how much, according to Emma Roth of The Verge.
The conference underscores the growing importance of critical minerals in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. The U.S. government, under President Trump, has been actively seeking to secure access to these resources, including through initiatives like Project Vault, a critical minerals stockpile with $12 billion in initial funding, Al Jazeera reported.
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