So just going to put this out there but the whole rare earths value is already subject to manipulation. China is known to have sold rare earths at a loss before to drive companies and countries out of the business. Its not any sort of free trade market or anything as the Chinese government covers the losses for these companies.

no real procurement commitments or offtake deals, no financing mechanisms, and no actual pricing structure in place,

The US made moves last year when the investigation was started with companies like MP Materials and the agreement covers all of these and they have started delivering to the US government. Same with Vulcan Elements who is now building a new magnet factory.

Within the critical minerals space and US allies what this is really directed at is forming partnership with Australia.

All of this might sound like manipulation but the whole market is already manipulated by China to make the world reliant. That is why the US and other countries have been doing this. Its leveling the playing field.