Evidence from credible sources supports the statement as accurate. Learn more in Methodology.
Secretary Bessent and Treasurer Chalmers held a meeting on January 12 that covered critical minerals opportunities and mutual economic and national security concerns.
The official U.S. Department of the Treasury readout explicitly states that on Monday, January 12, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent met with Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers "to discuss critical minerals opportunities, as well as mutual concerns of economic and national security interest." This directly matches the wording and substance of the claim. A separate Treasury press release confirms that Chalmers was in Washington participating in a finance ministerial on securing critical minerals supply chains the same day, consistent with such a bilateral meeting. Reuters reporting on Jan. 12, 2026, also notes that Chalmers was preparing to join a G7-related critical minerals meeting in Washington hosted by Bessent, supporting the timing and subject matter.
Verdict: True, because multiple credible and official sources, including the primary Treasury readout, directly confirm the meeting, date, and the described discussion topics.