ADEEPER commercial relationship with the United States stands to bring critical technology and industrial expertise to the Philippines as Washington seeks to fortify secure, trusted supply chains for strategic minerals, according to a senior US Embassy official.
Speaking at the Mining Philippines 2026 International Conference and Exhibit in Pasay City, US Embassy Manila Senior Commercial Officer Gregg Harris outlined the surging demand in the US market and underscored how the Philippines can integrate directly into American and allied industrial supply chains.
‘What could the Philippine mining industry look like in five or 10 years from now with deeper cooperation from the United States and partners? More importantly, what can we do to make that a reality?’ Harris asked attendees.
The commercial push coincides with US economic policy under President Donald Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, which prioritizes rebuilding domestic manufacturing and securing supply chains through domestic production and reliable international partnerships.
Harris highlighted the Philippines’ vast, untapped natural wealth, emphasizing its potential to become a pivotal player in the global network. ‘We see the Philippines and treaty partners as an essential part of the global supply chain,’ he said.
He noted that critical minerals such as copper, nickel, and cobalt are fundamental inputs for key growth sectors, including semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defense, and clean energy-industries that both the US and the Philippines aim to expand.
‘Our vision is a deeper commercial relationship in which Philippine mining companies benefit from American technology and industrial expertise, which will help build more diverse and secure supply chains for the Philippines, the US, and allied partners,’ Harris said.
While the Philippines is already a major producer of nickel and copper, Harris said the central challenge is enabling local enterprises to capture higher value from their raw materials rather than relying solely on direct extraction exports.
Harris reported sustained interest from US companies eager to finance, develop, or modernize mining operations across the archipelago-ranging from greenfield developments to productivity and sustainability upgrades at existing sites.
Potential areas of cooperation include high-tech mining equipment, advanced drilling systems, automation, geospatial mapping tools, and processing infrastructure aimed at improving recovery rates and operational efficiency, building on progress already observed in the Visayas and Cebu.
‘In all of this, the economics must work,’ Harris stressed. ‘Somebody’s going to have to leave some money somewhere, or it’s going to fail. So, let’s make it more productive, finance it well, and we will all be successful.’
Beyond mineral extraction, Harris emphasized environmental stewardship and resource management, identifying US firms like water technology provider Aquatech, specialized pit-lining firms, and global engineering giant Bechtel as key players interested in local partnerships.
‘Imagine the Philippines, that it’s not simply recognized as a leading producer of nickel and copper, but also a regional hub for mining technologies, processing, and reliable industrial supply chain relationships,’ Harris added.
The initiative builds upon the existing US-Philippines Memorandum of Understanding on Critical Minerals. Harris detailed four key US government tools designed to move projects from feasibility to execution:
US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA): Grants funding for early-stage feasibility studies at no cost to local partners, such as its November 2022 project with Eramen Minerals for a nickel and cobalt processing facility.
Export-Import Bank of the United States (Exim): Operates a $10-billion financing program dedicated to backing US capital equipment exports.
US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC): Provides direct debt financing, equity investments, and political risk insurance.
Strategic Transactions Advocacy Track (STAT): A US Department of Commerce program designed to support critical mineral processing initiatives and evaluate project financing on a case-by-case basis.
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‘So you can see that we are here to not only talk and tell you about DSE, but to actually get you to a project implementation-from the beginning of the feasibility study to the financing and the first shovels into the ground,’ Harris said.
Closing his presentation, Harris encouraged Philippine mining companies and government officials to engage with the US Commercial Service to identify operational requirements, match with U.S. industry partners, and attend MINExpo International, scheduled for September 2028 in the United States.