US Rare Earth Producers in Geopolitical Spotlight
On the 25th of August, rare earth prices surged to two-year highs after US miner MP Materials halted exports of key minerals to China. The decision is part of a US government backed deal to develop domestic refining, and cut off roughly 7-9% of China’s neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) supply. This saw prices climb by 40% from $63 to $88 per kilogram.
Economically, rare earth elements like NdPr are essential for electric vehicles, wind turbines, aerospace, and defence systems. This dramatic spike heightens risk for manufacturers and underscores the value of diversified supply chains. As a result, companies will likely seek renegotiation of procurement contracts and new long-term supply agreement.
Legally, export restrictions and supply shocks could trigger force majeure claims, dispute resolution needs, and complex compliance analyses. Law firms will be sought after for expertise in navigating regulatory trade dynamics and designing supply agreements that can withstand geopolitical volatility.
Geopolitically, MP Materials’ move highlights a shift towards resource nationalism. For law students and early-career lawyers, the lesson is clear – resources like rare earths are now as strategically significant as any tech or energy deal. Understanding how commodities markets, geopolitics and contracts interact will be more vital then ever in the evolving landscape of legal work.
Deal Tracker 📈
Major M&A / Corporate Finance – Keurig Dr Pepper → JDE Peet’s
Reuters reports that US soft drinks giant Keurig Dr Pepper is set to create a global coffee giant by acquiring the Dutch coffee producer JDE Peet’s. The deal comes among increasing pressure on consumer goods from tariffs, and involves JDE Peet’s being delisted from the Amsterdam stock exchange and relisted in the US. Paul Weiss and Stibbe acts for Keurig Dr Pepper, while A&O Shearman acts for JDE Peet’s.
Energy and Infrastructure –
Owners of the EPIC Crude pipeline, which transports over 600,000 barrels per day from the Permian Basin to the US Gulf Coast, are exploring a sale which could value the asset at around $3bn (including debt). This represents an opportunity for large scale energy infrastructure to attract private equity or corporate acquisition interest. Watch for more.
Property – Unite → Empiric
The Financial Times reports that student housing REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is buying energy analytics firm Empiric, as investors bet on increased appetite for student accommodation. HSF Kramer acts for Unite, while Gowling WLG acts for Empiric.
Financial Services – Western Union → Intermex
Money transfer company Western Union has announced that it will acquire Intermex, a US firm focused on payment transfers to South America and the Caribbean, for $500mn. Signals consolidation in the fintech market, as well as trade buyers swooping in where private equity exits stall (Intermex was previously owned by Stella Point Capital).
Tech – Accenture → CyberCX
Reuters reports that Accenture has announced it will buy Aussie cybersecurity firm CyberCX in its largest ever cybersecurity deal, valued by the Australian Financial Review at over $1bn AUD. Signals the surging demand for cybersecurity services after major Australian breaches, and shows how global consultancies are bulking up digital and tech capabilities. Barclays and Goldman Sachs are advising on the deal.
Quickreads ⌚️
Zurich IPO Rebound
Reuters reports that Zurich and Frankfurt are on track to overtake London as Europe’s hub for equity listings, as the latter faces a record IPO drought. Attempts at regulatory reform in the UK have largely failed to restore investor confidence.
US weighs sanctions against officials over EU Digital Services Act
The Trump administration is weighing sanctions, including potential visa bans, against EU officials enforcing the Digital Services Act (DSA), arguing it unfairly targets US tech firms. The DSA is the EU’s flagship digital law, and places strict obligations on large online platforms to tackle disinformation, illegal content and data risks. This raises the question of whether the UK’s new Online Safety Act could face similar pushback.
The Docket & Deal 
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