Chamber to host briefing as Australia-US sign critical minerals agreement

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump signed the agreement to facilitate an accelerated pipeline of priority projects between the two nations. 

The United States–Australia Framework for Securing of Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths will deliver a US/Australia secured supply chain for critical minerals and rare earths, required for defence and other advanced technologies.  

The US and Australia will take measures to each provide at least USD$1 billion in investments towards a USD$8.5 billion pipeline of priority critical minerals projects in Australia and the United States over the next six months. 

The historic framework will assist both countries achieve supply chain security and resilience through economic policy and coordinated investment. 

Prime Minister Albanese said: “Australia is home to much of the periodic table of critical minerals and rare earth metals that are vital for defence and other advanced technologies. 

“Cooperation on critical minerals and rare earth supply chains is testament to the trusted partnership between Australia and the United States as strategic defence allies. 

“I look forward to continuing to work with President Trump to strengthen our partnership and support American and Australian workers, businesses and investors." 

Briefing on US trade policy with Ergo 

In response to recent disruptions and developments in global trade, Ergo – one of America’s leading consultancies – has accepted an invitation to share insights with the Victorian Chamber network. 

Ergo is renowned for its geopolitical forecasting and custom research services and will explain how and why the US is implementing its trade policy, and predict how this will plays out in the broader geopolitical climate. 

The event will feature Evan Pressman, Co-founder and Managing Partner, who leads Ergo’s Flashpoints Forum and previously worked as a journalist at CNN, where he was part of an Emmy award-winning team covering the September 11 attacks. 

Daniel Oestericher, Associate Director, who leads Ergo’s US forecasting initiatives focused on trade, tax, industrial policy, and economic statecraft. His previous roles include work with the US State Department in Istanbul, the Peres Center for Peace in Tel Aviv, and The Reckoning Project in Madrid. 

Victorian Chamber advocacy 

Mr Pressman was one of the key senior US stakeholders the Victorian Chamber recently engaged with on a recent study tour facilitated by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 

 The tour met with stakeholders across trade, investment, defence, foreign affairs, and economic development, with key discussion points including geopolitical resilience, AI innovation, economic policy shifts, and chamber transformation. 

The tour reinforced the importance of maximising influence and recognition in the US market, with Australia viewed as being in a favourable position, with opportunities across defence, energy, critical minerals, and trade, despite ongoing global and domestic uncertainties. 

The Victorian Chamber has also been a vocal advocate for strategic investment in critical minerals, including in our recent regional policy paper, Seizing the Opportunity: The Unlimited Potential of Victoria’s Regions. 

The report recognises Victoria’s globally significant reserves and their role in advancing national interests and the Chamber welcomes the bilateral framework and its potential to unlock new opportunities. Read the full report here.  

To attend our briefing with Ergo, held on 13 November 2025 at Crown Melbourne. Visit From tariffs to AI: the impact of US Trade Policy on your business for more information and registration.