Australia and New Zealand are working to leverage their critical minerals reserves against a dependent United States in the hopes of achieving more favourable trade deals.

Australia is working to secure a critical mineral deal with the US ahead of a hotly anticipated meeting between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President Donald Trump in Washington on October 20.

Trade Minister Don Farrell had an extended meeting with US trade representative Jamieson Greer about access to Australia's vast stockpiles on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Malaysia.

Such minerals are in demand as they form key components for renewable technology and batteries as the world transitions to clean energy, as well as high-tech military equipment like fighter jets.

"We've got the critical minerals that t

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