Estonia and the United States are working towards an agreement on rare-earth elements aimed at strengthening supply security and attracting investment, ERR reports.

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said the negotiations concern developing Estonia’s industry and establishing a major European research and development centre, rather than accessing the country’s mineral deposits.

Estonia already has one of Europe’s largest rare-earth production and processing capacities, while the US is seeking to diversify supply chains currently dominated by China.

The discussions remain at an early stage, with Poland, the United Kingdom and Japan already involved in the broader US initiative.

Lithuania signed a similar cooperation agreement with the US on Thursday, describing resilient supply chains and strategic economic partnership with Washington as a major foreign-policy priority.

Read more: ERR.EE