Published
March 26, 2026
Earlier this month, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce joined AmCham Brazil, Citi and Brazilian Mining Association (IBRAM) in São Paulo for the U.S.-Brazil Forum on Critical Minerals, a landmark convening that brought together senior U.S. government officials, industry leaders, investors, and development finance institutions to advance cooperation between the United States and Brazil on critical mineral supply chains.
Held at AmCham São Paulo, the forum underscored the strategic importance of the U.S.-Brazil relationship at a time when securing reliable, diversified sources of critical minerals and rare earths has become a top economic and national security priority.
The U.S. government sent a robust interagency delegation—including the Departments of State and Energy, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), and EXIM Bank—to Brazil with a clear mandate from Washington: get deals done. Over 300 business executives and investors already active across the critical minerals and rare earths value chains joined the forum, eager to forge concrete partnerships and advance new opportunities.
A High-Level Call to Action
The forum opened with remarks from U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Gabriel Escobar, who highlighted that Brazil — the world's 10th largest economy and a global mining leader — is uniquely positioned as a strategic partner for the United States. With world-class reserves including the largest niobium deposits, the second-largest graphite and rare earth reserves, and the third-largest nickel reserves, Brazil sits at the intersection of advanced technology, digital transformation, defense systems, and energy security. However, while Brazil presents a compelling case for increased investment only 27% of Brazil's geological territory has been mapped to date. Since accurate geological data is essential for identifying mineral deposits, reducing exploration risk, and attracting investment, both the U.S. and Brazil should collaborate on expanding geological mapping and resource assessment using modern technologies.
Neil Herrington, the U.S. Chamber’s Senior Vice President for the Americas, clearly reinforced the Chamber's commitment to deepening bilateral commercial ties, underscoring that with Brazil's vast natural resources and U.S. technological capabilities and capital, both countries stand to gain much through technology transfer, infrastructure development, and expanded investment. Together, this minerals partnership has the potential to build resilient, sustainable, and secure supply chains driving industrialization and economic growth on both sides.
White House Perspective on U.S. Minerals Policy
In a fireside chat moderated by Ruth Demeter of the Chamber’s Global Energy Institute, White House Mineral and Supply Chain Czar David Copley joined virtually to outline U.S. policy priorities on critical minerals and rare earths. Copley emphasized that the United States is investing more than any other country in building critical mineral supply chains, both domestically and overseas, and is pursuing the creation of a global critical minerals preferential trade zone with price floors to level the playing field. When asked why Brazil, his answer was straightforward: it makes sense. The U.S. wants to be Brazil's partner of choice, and the conversation made clear that building resilient supply chains with trusted allies like Brazil, with the private sector playing a central role, is a top priority for Washington.
Geopolitics, Investment, and Opportunity
A panel session on the geopolitics of critical mineral supply chains examined how shifting global dynamics are reshaping investment flows and creating new openings for deeper bilateral cooperation. Noting how China's use of critical minerals and rare earths as political leverage has sent shockwaves through global markets, political analysts underscored the urgent need for diversified, secure supply chains. The Americas, they emphasized, represent a vast reservoir of natural resources, and the U.S. and Brazil are uniquely positioned to build supply chains that are not only secure but also responsible and commercially viable. While the political signals from both governments are encouraging, panelists observed that the market mechanisms needed to fully unlock this potential are still taking shape. They stressed that partnerships should be rooted not in exclusivity but in optionality, giving both nations greater strategic flexibility. Panelists also cautioned against the risk of nationalism creeping into critical minerals policy, urging that U.S. engagement must be aligned with Brazil's own industrial policy goals to ensure the partnership delivers mutual economic benefit.
Unlocking Brazil's Critical Minerals Potential
Two sessions explored Brazil's significant upstream and midstream potential, with private sector leaders from Aclara Resources, Meteoric Brazil, Viridis Mining & Minerals, and PLS discussing the investment climate, regulatory landscape, and infrastructure needs for scaling critical minerals development. Additionally, seven mining companies—Meteoric, Viridis, South Star Battery Metals, Brazilian Nickel, Atlas Lithium, Sigma Lithium, and St George Mining—pitched their critical minerals projects spanning lithium, rare earth elements, nickel, and graphite to an audience of potential investors and partners.
Mobilizing Capital for Responsible Growth
The forum's final session brought together a powerful lineup of development finance and investment institutions to discuss how to de-risk and mobilize capital for critical minerals projects in Brazil. Representatives from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Japan's JOGMEC, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), DFC, EXIM Bank, the U.S. Department of Energy, USTDA, and Brazil's Finep explored tools such as offtaker agreements, blended finance, project preparation facilities, insurance, and public-private partnerships to accelerate investment in Brazil's minerals sector.
Looking Ahead
The U.S.-Brazil Forum on Critical Minerals demonstrated that the foundation for a transformative bilateral partnership is already in place. With strong political will on both sides, a robust pipeline of projects, and growing interest from global investors and development institutions, the path forward is clear: deeper collaboration, smarter investment frameworks, and a shared commitment to building supply chains that are secure, sustainable, and mutually beneficial.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce will continue to champion policies and partnerships that strengthen the U.S.-Brazil commercial relationship and advance shared priorities on energy security and critical minerals.
About the author
Cassia Carvalho
Carvalho is the executive director of the Brazil-U.S. Business Council. She serves as an adviser for the governments of Brazil, the United States, and others, as well as for multi-national corporations, multilateral agencies, international financial institutions and industry associations.
