Why is Trump keen on a rare-earth minerals deal with Ukraine?

Before President Zelenskyy exited the White House last week following a public showdown with the U.S. President and his deputy, Donald Trump was keen on a deal with Ukraine that would have given the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, among other goodies.

This was to have been a return gift for America’s help to Ukraine in its war against Russia. Why did Trump narrow down on this one thing? Why are rare earth minerals important? 

Script & Presentation: K. Bharat Kumar

Editing: Shibu Narayan