G7 energy ministers meeting in Canada on Thursday planned to launch a new alliance to counter China's critical mineral dominance, in a push for more reliable access to the resources that power advanced technologies.

The two-day Group of Seven meeting in Toronto opened hours after US President Donald Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping signed an extendable one-year deal on China's supply of rare earths.

Germany's Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Katherina Reiche, told reporters the Trump-Xi deal marked "a good sign," noting German reliance on Chinese critical mineral exports.

But she stressed the agreement "can't prevent us" from moving forward on broadening supply chains for the materials used in everything from solar panels and mobile phones to precision missiles.

"We ne

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