A deal to give the United States more access to Australian critical minerals could be on the agenda ahead of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's trip to the White House.

The government has been discussing a potential agreement with miners and US officials, in the hopes of countering China's dominance in the production of metals like lithium, cobalt and nickel.

Critical minerals are crucial for the production of clean energy technologies like batteries and solar panels, but also high-tech military products including fighter jets.

China currently produces the vast majority of the world's critical minerals, prompting the Trump administration to seek deals with friendly countries.

Trade Minister Don Farrell said Australia is keen to strike an agreement with the US, and had been discussing th

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