Ukraine minerals deal, consumer confidence, tax cuts and South Korea birthrate

Ukraine-U.S. Minerals Deal

A new agreement between Ukraine and the United States aims to collaboratively develop Ukraine's reserves of rare earths and critical minerals essential for high-tech applications and energy resources. The arrangement stipulates that Ukraine will contribute 50% of proceeds from exploiting these state-owned resources until payments reach $500 billion, while the U.S. promises long-term financial commitments without guaranteeing security or continued military aid. While this deal is seen as an opportunity for Ukraine to engage with the U.S. amid a tense political backdrop, it falls short of their initial demands for military assurances. The presence of critical minerals in both Ukrainian and Russian-controlled territories complicates the situation further, especially with Russia expressing a willingness to exploit these resources collaboratively but potentially undermining Ukraine's sovereignty in the process.