South Korea’s senior trade official, Director‑General for Trade Negotiations Yeo Han‑koo, joined a virtual summit hosted by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on Feb. 13, 2026 to discuss a “critical‑minerals” supply‑chain initiative aimed at reducing reliance on China. The meeting, convened by USTR chief Jamie Greer, brought together ministers and senior officials from the Group of 7 (G7) plus “G7‑plus” partners – Japan, Australia, India and Mexico – in what USTR described as a step toward a more resilient, diversified minerals network.
In a brief X post, the USTR office noted that Greer “hosted a video conference with G7‑plus ministers to boost the resilience of critical‑mineral supply chains,” echoing the Trump administration’s broader strategy to counter China’s dominance in rare‑earth and other strategic materials.KBS The Korean delegation was led by Yeo, who is responsible for overseeing Korea’s trade negotiations and industrial policy coordination.
Who participated and what was on the agenda?
The video conference featured representatives from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan – the core G7 – together with the “plus” partners Australia, India, and Mexico. According to a Korean news report, the gathering focused on three core topics:
- Mapping the global supply chain for critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare‑earth elements.
- Identifying opportunities for joint investment in mining, processing and recycling projects outside of China.
- Establishing a framework for “G7‑plus” cooperation, including data sharing, standards harmonization and joint R&D.
The Korean side emphasized the need to secure stable inputs for its burgeoning electric‑vehicle and battery sectors, while Japan highlighted its own supply‑chain vulnerabilities. Australia, India and Mexico presented potential mining projects that could serve as alternative sources.Korea Daily
Why the focus on critical minerals now?
China currently accounts for roughly 70 % of global rare‑earth production, a figure that has prompted many advanced economies to glance for “strategic autonomy” in the sector.Global Economics The USTR’s “critical‑minerals” bloc, launched earlier this year, seeks to create a coordinated policy front among like‑minded allies. By pooling demand and investing jointly in overseas projects, the bloc hopes to lower costs, mitigate geopolitical risk and accelerate the transition to clean‑energy technologies.
For South Korea, the stakes are high. The country imports over 80 % of its rare‑earths and more than 60 % of its lithium from China, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. A disruption could jeopardize everything from smartphone components to defense systems.
What does the meeting mean for Korean industry?
Yeo’s participation signals that Seoul intends to play an active role in shaping the emerging “G7‑plus” framework. Industry groups have welcomed the move, noting that a diversified supply chain could lower material costs and reduce lead times for battery manufacturers and semiconductor firms.
Analysts also point to potential downstream benefits: joint research on recycling technologies, shared standards for battery safety, and coordinated investment incentives could make Korean firms more competitive in the global market.KMIB
Next steps and where to follow updates
The USTR has indicated that a formal “G7‑plus” working group will be established later this year, with a first report due in early 2027. Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is expected to submit a detailed position paper outlining its priorities for mining partnerships and recycling initiatives.
Stakeholders are advised to monitor announcements from the USTR’s X account, the Korean Ministry’s press releases, and the upcoming G7 summit in Italy, where the critical‑minerals agenda is slated for a dedicated session.
We will continue to track developments and provide updates as official documents become publicly available. Readers are invited to share their perspectives and questions in the comments below.
