An event was attended by representatives of at least 50 countries, the White House said.

Other countries are expected to join Project Vault, which US president said would ensure that US businesses are ‘never harmed by any shortage’

More than 50 countries are represented at the Critical Minerals Ministerial to discuss how to reduce reliance on China.

The Trump administration has put critical minerals at the heart of its trade and industrial policies in an effort to reduce dependence on China.

The aim of the group is to challenge China’s stronghold on the globe’s rare earth mining.

An event was attended by representatives of at least 50 countries, the White House said.

The U.S. is mobilizing allies into a preferential trade bloc for critical minerals as part of efforts to counter China's dominance in the market.