Former Deputy National Security Advisor K.T. McFarland joins Mornings with Maria to weigh in on President Donald Trumps rare mineral deal with Australia and his Middle East peace deal. The agreement between the U.S. and Australia to partner on developing supplies of rare earths and critical minerals amid trade tensions with China, the world’s leading supplier,

The US and Australia have taken a major step in trying to break China’s chokehold on the world’s supply of critical minerals. They have signed an $8.5bn (£6.3bn) deal to develop mining and processing technology together. They will spend $1bn in the first six months. This is a major shot across the bow at China,

The dollar index DXY today is up by +0.30% at a four-session high. The dollar is moving higher today on weakness in the yen, which has fallen to a one-week low against the dollar, as expectations rise that new Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi will maintain an expansionary fiscal policy. The dollar also has carryover support from