Robust legal frameworks, backed by effective enforcement, can create the conditions for stable and rights-respecting mining. That means safeguarding Indigenous rights, protecting water resources and ensuring independent, participatory, and transparent impact assessments. By Johanna Sydow and Nsama Chikwanka

Through recycling, R&D and diversifying imports as well as by facilitating a regional market for rare earth minerals, the dependence on the Chinese supply chain can be reduced. By Saswata Chaudhury

Indonesia is among the 10 heaviest-hit countries by United States tariffs. Trade talks will mean balancing the US need for critical minerals and Indonesia's desire to develop its domestic processing industries. By Mailinda Yuniza and Jonathan Dewanto

Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam have a sizeable presence in the global REE supply chain – now a geopolitical focal point – but although they may have substantial reserves, their REE production levels are still lower than China's. By Gloria Lin