US and El Salvador Sign Agreement to Enhance Critical Minerals Investment
The United States and El Salvador signed a bilateral agreement in Washington to promote investment in critical minerals exploration, development, and export. This agreement allows U.S. companies to operate throughout the critical minerals supply chain in El Salvador, with the country committing to provide necessary infrastructure support.
El Salvador's Congress lifted a mining ban in December 2024, enabling this investment framework. The agreement emphasizes minerals like rhenium and silicon, which are now critical for U.S. clean energy and defense sectors.
Additionally, El Salvador will align with U.S. sanctions and export controls. This pact builds on previous agreements, enhancing trade cooperation and solidifying El Salvador's role as a strategic partner in the critical minerals sector while reaffirming its existing trade benefits under the CAFTA-DR agreement.
