Rubio signs critical minerals and technology agreements with Finland before hosting G20 foreign ministers in Atlanta

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen signed two memoranda of understanding in Washington on Thursday 29 October: a Critical Minerals Framework and a Technology Prosperity Deal, Finland’s Foreign Ministry and the White House said.

According to the Finnish ministry, the minerals framework is meant to strengthen supply chains and improve conditions for US investment in mineral processing and refining capacity in Finland. The technology deal covers artificial intelligence, telecommunications including 5G and 6G, quantum technology and biotechnology, as well as defence, energy, space and Arctic technologies such as ice navigation.

“Finland, of course, has extraordinary expertise in mining, in refining and in processing,” Rubio said at the signing ceremony, Inside US Trade reported. He said semiconductors, batteries, defence systems and energy infrastructure all depend on critical minerals, according to RIA Novosti.

Finland’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Sakari Puisto, said in the ministry’s statement that closer cooperation with the United States “offers opportunities for Finnish mining and minerals companies”.

G20 meeting in Atlanta

Rubio travels to Atlanta on Friday 30 October to host a two-day meeting of G20 foreign ministers, the State Department said. It said the talks will address threats to freedom of navigation, energy and food security and global supply chains, and help set priorities for the G20 leaders’ summit in Miami in December, Anadolu Agency reported.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she would use the Atlanta meeting to urge partners to strengthen support for Ukraine.