{"id":76020,"date":"2026-03-10T10:30:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T21:30:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/?p=76020"},"modified":"2026-03-20T09:15:16","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T20:15:16","slug":"a-critical-minerals-deal-with-the-usa-what-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/a-critical-minerals-deal-with-the-usa-what-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"A critical minerals deal with the USA: What you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Trump is demanding New Zealand sign up to a deal to provide the USA with minerals (such as vanadium or antimony, but also coal and gold). If we don’t he’s threatening to impose tariffs on our exports.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\"The<\/figure>\n\n

Most people in Aotearoa don\u2019t want the USA dictating what happens on the land or in the oceans here. How we look after the oceans and lands is the basis for our continued wellbeing here and on the planet. <\/p>\n\n

Yet the Luxon Government is considering a minerals deal that would give priority access to the United States. If signed, this deal could open up new frontiers for extractive industries here, such as seabed mining.<\/p>\n\n

Here’s everything you need to know about the potential minerals deal and what it means for the moana and the future.<\/p>\n\n

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On this page<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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  1. An opening for destructive mining<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. What\u2019s the Trump minerals deal?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. What are \u2018critical\u2019 minerals?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Why does the USA want access to these minerals?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. What are the risks of Luxon signing this deal?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. What\u2019s seabed mining?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. What\u2019s the \u2018critical minerals\u2019 slush fund?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Isn\u2019t mining good for the economy?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Stand up to bullies – don\u2019t mine the moana<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n \t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPETITION: Luxon, no minerals deal with Trump\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Call on Luxon to say no to Trump\u2019s demands for critical minerals<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t \n Take Action\n <\/a>\n \t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\n

    A minerals deal will open up destructive mining<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

    A minerals deal with the USA would accelerate destructive mineral extraction from the land and seas of Aotearoa. It would open the door to new projects such as seabed mining – an untested extractive industry with short term economic gain and high environmental costs.<\/p>\n\n

    Local Taranaki iwi, locals, the scientific community, the courts and experts have all rejected the fast tracked seabed mining project in Taranaki<\/a> every time.<\/p>\n\n

    Our resistance in Aotearoa is a critical part of stopping deep sea mining before it starts, anywhere in the world. <\/strong>We can stand up to bullies. Most people in Aotearoa don\u2019t want the USA dictating what happens on the land or in the oceans here.<\/p>\n\n

    New Zealand needs to also maintain its independence and not get caught up in a geopolitical arms race. <\/p>\n\n

    If we allow the USA to push seabed mining on us, it could open the floodgates for destructive mining across the entire Pacific. Let\u2019s hold the line to protect our shared ocean from corporate and colonial greed, making sure this risky industry is stopped before it starts.<\/p>\n\n

    \"Three<\/figure>\n\n

    What\u2019s the Trump minerals deal?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

    New Zealand is in discussions with the US on a non-binding \u2018critical minerals framework\u2019 that would give American access to New Zealand resources. <\/p>\n\n

    In February 2026 New Zealand representatives joined around 50 nations at the Critical Minerals Ministerial<\/a>, where the USA unveiled its plans.<\/p>\n\n

    Trump has invited New Zealand to sign up to join \u2018a trading bloc among allies and partners<\/a>\u2019. The USA wants vanadium and antimony from New Zealand to fuel its commercial and military-industrial complex. <\/p>\n\n

    This bloc of countries would increase production of key minerals the USA needs. <\/p>\n\n

    If we don’t join, Trump is threatening to impose tariffs on our exports. <\/strong>Trump is trying to bully New Zealand into doing a deal on these \u2018critical\u2019 minerals.<\/p>\n\n

    Luxon is entertaining Trump, but decisions about our moana and our future belong to us – not some foreign power. <\/p>\n\n

    What are \u2018critical\u2019 minerals?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

    Critical minerals are basic elements now part of most modern technologies. They\u2019re needed in everything from batteries to wind turbines to semiconductors. They are also necessary in all advanced military systems.<\/p>\n\n

    The New Zealand Government has created an official list of 37 minerals<\/a> that are<\/p>\n\n