How this new development could drive the next big boost for ASX rare earths stocks like Lynas

ASX rare earths stocks are back in form today and racing ahead of the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO).

During the Monday lunch hour, the All Ords is up a welcome 1%.

Now, here’s how these leading ASX rare earths stocks are performing at this same time:

• Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) shares are up 5.3%
• Arafura Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: ARU) shares are up 3.9%
• Northern Minerals Ltd (ASX: NTU) shares are up 6.5%
• Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU) shares are up 4%
• Brazilian Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: BRE) shares are up 2.7%

As you’re likely aware, the rare earths miners have come under heavy selling pressure over the past month – with the above group tumbling anywhere between 15% to 37% – following on the blistering run higher from January.

Despite that past month’s steep decline, here’s how these miners’ year-to-date performance stacks up to the 3.7% gains posted by the All Ords in 2025:

• Lynas Rare Earths shares have gained 136.1%
• Arafura Rare Earths shares have gained 120.8%
• Northern Minerals shares have gained 60%
• Iluka Resources shares have gained 27.8%
• Brazilian Rare Earths shares have gained 90%

Boom!

What’s been stoking investor interest?

ASX rare earths stocks, and their shareholders, have been benefiting from the West’s move to secure supplies outside of China’s control.

Rare earths are critical elements in most modern technologies, including military defence equipment, phones, EVs, and wind turbines, to name a few. And as China has recently demonstrated, it is willing to use its dominance in rare earths to further its own political and trade ambitions.

In late October, this led to United States President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signing a multi-billion-dollar deal that granted the US more access to Australia’s rare earths and other critical minerals.

Australia and the US both agreed to invest more than US$1 billion over six months to spur initial rare earths projects.

Why are ASX rare earths stocks surging today?

Today’s big lift for Lynas shares and its rival ASX rare earths stocks appears to be driven by news out of the European Union.

As Reuters reports, the EU would like to directly invest in Australian critical minerals projects. On Friday, EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic said the European trading block would reveal a list of projects it would like to support shortly.

Sefcovic engaged in discussions with Australian Resources Minister Madeleine King last week.

“We see how we are squeezed now on chips and some critical raw materials,” he said, referring to China’s stranglehold on crucial elements.

“We did the first such selection of the projects where we would declare our official interest,” Sefcovic added. “That list should be published very, very soon.”

Stay tuned!

The post How this new development could drive the next big boost for ASX rare earths stocks like Lynas appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.