How the Australia mineral deal plays into U.S. relations with China

US-Australia Economic & Military Alliance - US and Australia announce a $3 billion joint venture project to develop critical minerals, potentially yielding $50 billion in these minerals [2] - The US-Australia military alliance, dating back to World War I, could continue to benefit both countries through sales of American planes and military technology [4] - From Australia's perspective, this alliance partly aims to contain China in their neighborhood [4] US-China Trade Relations - Despite trade tensions, the US President believes good trade deals can be made with China, including the purchase of American soybeans [3] - The President suggests that current economic pressure between the world's two largest economies will ultimately "work out fine" [3] Middle East Ceasefire - The US President indicates that if the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel doesn't hold, Israel, with US support, would forcibly disarm Hamas [4] - The White House believes it has done the "heavy lifting" to establish the ceasefire and expects other regional partners, particularly Gulf Arab countries, to ensure it holds [6] - The White House has declared victory in the Middle East and needs that victory to hold [7]