Payam Javan: President Donald Trump announced that the United States is close to finalizing a long-delayed minerals and natural resources deal with Ukraine. The announcement came after Trump signed an executive order aimed at boosting domestic production of critical minerals such as uranium, copper, potash, and gold, under the Cold War-era Defense Production Act. The executive order also mandates the identification of U.S. mines and lands that can be rapidly approved for mineral extraction, in an effort to reduce reliance on foreign sources, particularly China.

Trump confirmed that the Ukraine deal—originally scheduled for February but delayed due to a heated dispute during a White House meeting—is now back on track. He emphasized Ukraine’s potential in rare earths and revealed tentative cease-fire agreements between Ukraine and Russia, focusing on halting attacks on energy infrastructure for 30 days. As part of broader efforts, Trump is also pushing for global partnerships to unlock access to vital minerals, citing their critical role in modern technology like electric vehicles and smartphones.