Pakistan Presents Rare Earth Minerals to Trump During White House Meeting: A Strategic Resource Partnership

Donald Trump with Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir at the White House

A recently emerged photograph captures the meeting between Donald Trump, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Army Chief Asim Munir at the White House, revealing the presentation of rare earth minerals to the US President.

The image shows General Munir indicating an opened wooden box containing rare earth minerals while Trump observes with interest during their Oval Office meeting. Prime Minister Sharif is visible standing nearby with a subtle smile.

Thursday's meeting marked a significant diplomatic exchange as Trump received Sharif, the first Pakistani prime minister to visit the White House in six years, along with Munir, who previously had an uncommon one-on-one discussion with the US President in the Oval Office in June.

The extensive discussions, reportedly lasting approximately ninety minutes, included Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio among the participants.

According to a statement from his office, Sharif characterized Trump as a "man of peace" for his "sincere efforts" toward resolving global conflicts.

The Pakistani Prime Minister also expressed gratitude regarding the tariff agreement signed between Pakistan and the US in July. This trade arrangement, which imposes a 19 percent tariff on Pakistani imports, will facilitate Washington's assistance in developing Pakistan's oil reserves.

Sharif conveyed confidence that under Trump's leadership, the bilateral partnership would "further strengthen to the mutual benefit of both countries," the statement noted.

Additionally, he extended invitations to American companies to invest in Pakistan's agriculture, IT, mines and minerals, and energy sectors.

This meeting occurs amid noticeably improving bilateral relations following several years of strained diplomatic ties.

US interest in Pakistan's rare earth minerals has intensified, with Pakistan's Frontier Works Organisation—the country's primary critical minerals miner—recently signing a memorandum of understanding with Missouri-based US Strategic Metals. The collaboration plans include establishing a poly-metallic refinery in Pakistan.

US Strategic Metals specializes in producing and recycling critical minerals, which the US Department of Energy defines as essential components for various advanced manufacturing and energy production technologies.

A second agreement was established between Pakistan's National Logistics Corp and Mota-Engil Group, a Portuguese engineering and construction company.

Prime Minister Sharif's office released a statement confirming discussions with delegations from US Strategic Metals and Mota-Engil regarding Pakistan's copper, gold, rare earths, and other mineral resources.

Both parties expressed readiness to develop value-added facilities, enhance mineral processing capabilities, and undertake large-scale mining-related projects.

"The partnership will commence immediately with the export of readily available minerals from Pakistan, including antimony, copper, gold, tungsten, and rare earth elements," the statement detailed.

Earlier this year, Sharif claimed that Pakistan possesses mineral reserves valued at trillions of dollars, suggesting that foreign investment in this sector could help the nation overcome its extended financial crisis and reduce its substantial foreign debt burden.

However, most of Pakistan's mineral wealth is located in the southwestern Balochistan province, which faces ongoing insurgency issues, with separatist groups opposing resource extraction by Pakistani and foreign companies.