Four major countries just made a deal to fight back against China's control over important materials. The United States, Japan, India and Australia met Tuesday to start their new plan. They want to make sure they can get the metals and minerals needed for phones, cars and other tech gadgets. Marco Rubio brought the other foreign ministers to Washington for the big meeting. The group worries that China has way too much power over these supplies.
China controls most of the world's graphite, which goes into electric car batteries. The four nations created something called the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative to break free from depending on China. They think relying on one country for these materials puts them at risk. China could cut off supplies or jack up prices whenever it wants. The ministers said this kind of control threatens their economies and security.
The countries also slammed China for dangerous moves in the South China Sea and East China Sea. They didn't say China's name directly but made it clear who they meant. Japan's former leader Shinzo Abe first came up with the idea for this four-way partnership. He wanted democratic countries to team up and surround China. The group also went after North Korea for shooting off missiles and demanded the country give up its nuclear weapons.
Trump plans to visit India later this year for a bigger Quad meeting. India and Japan both want to keep the Pacific region free from Chinese control.
China controls most of the world's graphite, which goes into electric car batteries. The four nations created something called the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative to break free from depending on China. They think relying on one country for these materials puts them at risk. China could cut off supplies or jack up prices whenever it wants. The ministers said this kind of control threatens their economies and security.
The countries also slammed China for dangerous moves in the South China Sea and East China Sea. They didn't say China's name directly but made it clear who they meant. Japan's former leader Shinzo Abe first came up with the idea for this four-way partnership. He wanted democratic countries to team up and surround China. The group also went after North Korea for shooting off missiles and demanded the country give up its nuclear weapons.
Trump plans to visit India later this year for a bigger Quad meeting. India and Japan both want to keep the Pacific region free from Chinese control.
