Pakistan Uses Rare Earth Minerals As Diplomatic Lever In White House Meeting With Trump | Exclusive

Last Updated:September 28, 2025, 21:16 IST

According to top intelligence inputs, Munir briefed Trump on Pakistan’s potential in rare earths and critical minerals, a sector vital for US

Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir showing a wooden box purportedly containing rare earth minerals to Trump | Image: X

Pakistan moved to position its rare earth reserves as a strategic bargaining chip with the United States, with Field Marshal Asim Munir personally presenting samples of “rare earth precious metals and stones” to US President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House on Thursday, which also saw Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif.

According to top intelligence inputs accessed by CNN-News18, Munir briefed Trump on Pakistan’s potential in rare earths and critical minerals, a sector vital for US defence, electric vehicles and semiconductor industries.

Trump, who hailed Sharif and Munir as “great leaders,” is understood to have expressed interest in exploring Pakistan’s mineral wealth, estimated by various sources to be worth about six trillion dollars.

The meeting came soon after Pakistan signed a $500 million memorandum of understanding with American metals firm US Strategic Metals (USSM).

Sources described Trump’s warm welcome and his handshake with Sharif as a “strategic handshake,” signalling a push towards a “long-term strategic and economic partnership” between Washington and Islamabad.

Officials familiar with the talks said the presentation of rare earth samples was designed to appeal directly to Trump’s deal-making instincts.

By showcasing tangible assets rather than engaging in abstract diplomacy, Pakistan’s military leadership sought to demonstrate that it can offer the US something beyond its traditional security role.

The move also carries broader geopolitical messaging.

With Pakistan’s economy under IMF pressure and China already dominant in its mining sector—particularly in Balochistan’s Saindak and Reko Diq projects—Munir’s gesture signals Islamabad’s intent to diversify its strategic partnerships.

Intelligence assessments suggest the overture was meant to reassure Washington of Army-backed investor protection and to signal to Gulf states and India that Pakistan aims to insert itself into the global critical minerals supply chain.

Analysts say Munir’s direct involvement underscores that rare earth mining is being treated not merely as an economic opportunity but as a national security asset.

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