A proposal drafted by political operative Andre Marinho on March 19, 2026, outlined a plan for a rare earths supply chain between Brazil and the United States. The document, which featured the logo of Flávio Bolsonaro, was intended for the Rockbridge Network, a conservative organization founded by JD Vance.
The proposal explicitly linked the development of mineral trade ties to political support for Flávio Bolsonaro’s presidential campaign ahead of the October 2026 elections. Marinho confirmed authorship of the document but stated that it was never shared with US officials.
Brazil holds approximately 19–23% of global rare earth reserves. In contrast, China controls about 60% of global mining and 90% of refining capacity for these materials, which are critical for electric vehicle batteries and defense systems.
Commercial investment in the sector is already active. In April 2026, USA Rare Earth acquired the Serra Verde mine for $2,8 billion. This transaction followed a $565 million financing package for the same project announced in February 2026.
