In yet another indication of his desire to reorient American foreign policy towards economic pragmatism, US President Donald Trump has emphasized the importance of rebuilding economic ties with Russia. In a recent interview with Breitbart, Trump cited Russia’s vast landmass and abundant natural resources, particularly rare earth elements (REEs), as a compelling reason to rekindle trade relations with Moscow.

The remarks followed a phone conversation on March 18 between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which both leaders reportedly agreed that improved US-Russia relations would yield “enormous economic deals” once peace is secured in Ukraine. The conversation, as relayed by the White House, indicated that both leaders see substantial economic benefits in normalizing bilateral ties.

Trump underscored the vastness of Russia’s territory and the untapped potential beneath its soil. “They have the largest piece of land by far, bigger than China. They have 11 time zones. You can fly through 11 time zones from one side to the other. They have very valuable earth,” he said in the interview.

His comments reflect a broader recognition of Russia’s potential to play a key role in global commodity markets, particularly for resources crucial to modern technology. Rare earth elements, a group of 17 metallic elements used in the production of everything from smartphones to advanced defense systems and renewable energy technology, are among the most strategically important resources.

According to Russia’s Federal Agency for Mineral Resources, the country possesses over 20% of the world’s known REE reserves. However, its share of global REE production remains below 1%, signaling an immense opportunity for development. With the right investment and technological support, Russia could emerge as a major player in the industry, potentially challenging China’s near-monopoly on rare earth........

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