WASHINGTON — The United States convened a meeting of finance ministers from South Korea, Japan and other partners in Washington on Monday to discuss efforts to secure supply chains for critical minerals, the Treasury Department said, amid Washington’s efforts to counter China’s growing heft over vital resources. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hosted the meeting to discuss solutions to “secure and diversify” the supply chains, especially for rare earth elements, it said, as the U.S. is bringing its allies and partners together to address vulnerabilities in critical mineral supplies key to producing high-tech commercial and military products. Participants included Korea’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol and officials from Australia, Canada, Germany, India, France, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Britain and the European Union, as well as U.S. officials, including U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. “Throughout the course of discussions, attendees expressed a strong, shared desire to quickly address key vulnerabilities in critical minerals supply chains,” the depar
