To woo Trump, Munir showcases Pakistan’s rare earth at White House

In a desperate attempt to regain favour with US President Donald Trump, Pakistan’s “hybrid military-civilian leadership” showcased its rare earth mineral wealth during a meeting with the President last week, according to a photo released by the White House.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief and self-declared Field Marshal Asim Munir presented the minerals to Trump at the White House.

The photograph showed Munir handing over a wooden box containing the minerals while Trump observed in the Oval Office. Sharif, also present, was seen smiling alongside them.

The minerals on display at White House

Among a dozen images from the meeting shared by the White House, one shows the duo displaying an open 18×18 inch wooden box filled with colourful stones.

Two of the larger rocks appear to be bastanzite and monazite clumps, which typically contain rare earth elements such as cerium, lanthanum, and neodymium. Several smaller, candy-coloured pebbles resemble gemstones.

Untapped wealth in Pakistan to win Trump

Pakistan has long highlighted its untapped oil, gas, and mineral wealth, including rare earth elements, mostly in insurgency-hit Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

While none of the deposits are commercially proven, the country’s leadership showcased samples to Trump to underline collaboration and exploration deals signed with a private US firm earlier this month.

The charm offensive included PM Sharif wearing a lapel pin featuring both the US and Pakistani flags, a gesture some Pakistani social media users called “embarrassing.”

Oval Office discussions

The photo emerged days after Trump hosted Sharif at the Oval Office on Thursday. The meeting, described by top Pakistan government sources as “highly significant and security-focused,” also included US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and lasted about 90 minutes.

Officials said discussions went beyond security, covering economic engagement, counterterrorism, and investment opportunities.

The United States reportedly showed strong interest in Pakistan’s rare earth minerals, crypto mining potential, and oil exploration prospects.

While no direct government-to-government agreement exists, Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organisation (FWO)—a military-linked engineering and mining entity—signed an MoU on 8 September with Missouri-based US Strategic Metals (USSM), a private firm specialising in critical minerals, According to report from The Times of India.

‘Man of peace’: Sharif’s desperate praise for Trump

PM Sharif described Donald Trump as a “man of peace” for his “sincere efforts” to resolve conflicts worldwide, according to a statement from his office.

Sharif expressed confidence that under Trump’s leadership, the Pakistan-US partnership would be “further strengthened to the mutual benefit of both countries,” the statement said. He also invited US companies to invest in Pakistan’s agriculture, IT, mining, and energy sectors.

Trump’s investment deal with Pakistan

Earlier this month, US metals firm USSM signed a $500 million investment deal with Pakistan. The agreements cover the export of critical minerals—including antimony, copper, gold, tungsten, and rare earth elements—and envisage future processing facilities in Pakistan.

In August, Islamabad showcased what Munir called its “treasure” to the US and signed a trade agreement aimed at attracting American investment in Pakistan’s mineral and oil resources.