Brazil courts US, EU over critical minerals amid geopolitical competition — MercoPress

Brazil has courted the US and EU over critical minerals amid geopolitical competition

Brazil has positioned itself as a strategic player in the global competition for critical minerals such as graphite, nickel and niobium, which are essential for clean energy technologies, batteries and defense systems. Both the United States and the European Union have strengthened diplomatic and trade ties with Brazil to secure agreements on supply and cooperation in value chains seen as critical to the energy transition and industrial security.

Brazilian officials, aware of their country’s vast mineral potential, emphasized that any cooperation would be judged according to standards of environmental sustainability and national economic interests. They aim to avoid over-reliance on individual buyers while maximizing local benefits.

International analysts note that Brazil could become a major supplier outside China’s traditional dominance, particularly for minerals important to electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy infrastructure.

This strategic position comes amid intensifying global competition to secure critical supply chains, driven by policy shifts toward industrial autonomy and trade fragmentation.