China, Trump and Australias role in the new nuclear age | Four Corners Documentary

As Australia signs a landmark deal to bolster its alliance with Washington, we're selling China critical minerals that can be used to build hypersonic missiles and nuclear technology.

This geopolitical double game is the focus of the last Four Corners for 2025.

Reporter Angus Grigg and the team have spent months poring over corporate documents to trace the journey of zirconium from the mineral sands of WA all the way to Beijing.

This mineral, used mainly in bathroom tiles and toilets, is also central to advanced weapons systems and nuclear reactors.

Trading Fire questions if greater export controls are needed for Australia’s critical minerals especially for those with potential military applications.

CHAPTERS:
00:05 – Trump, the US and minerals
03:20 – Bare base
06:30 – The US in the pacific
07:30 – Upgrading Australia's military bases or Preparing for war
08:35 – China's military capacity
11:50 – Zirconium and critical minerals
15:48 – LB Group and mining
19:25 – Where do Australian minerals go?
21:05 – Russia’s imports of critical minerals
26:00 – China's nuclear weapons program
26:35 – Uranium exports to China
30:20 – Could the US make Australia a target?
35:28 – Albanese’s stance on the prohibition of nuclear weapons
41:58 – A deal with China and Russia