1430 ET - USA Rare Earth is looking to lead its industry, not just outside of China, but on a global scale, CEO Barbara Humpton says during an appearance on CNBC. "We're in the early innings of developing the platform that is actually going to make us the world leader" in rare earths, Humpton says. The comments come after USA Rare Earth agreed to acquire Serra Verde Group, the owner of a rare-earth mine and processing plant in Brazil, in a cash-and-stock deal valued at about $2.8 billion. The deal is part of the company's wider strategy, which also includes building domestic production, she says. "This is a matter of building. We are putting together the component pieces," Humpton says.(kelly.cloonan@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 20, 2026 14:30 ET (18:30 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.