I was pleased to speak in Washington, DC at the C3 Solutions / E&W Law roundtable on critical minerals policy and America’s economic and national security needs.

My central point was this:

The United States should be country-blind if the country is an ally.

That phrase comes from direct experience. I have been an investor for years in the Cook Islands subsea minerals industry. In February 2026, I spent a week aboard the research vessel Anunua Moana, which gave me deeper insight into the scale, complexity and strategic importance of subsea critical minerals in the Pacific.

The Cook Islands represents one of the world’s most significant subsea polymetallic nodule opportunities. But mineral potential alone does not create supply-chain security. The real challenge is converting that potential into a responsible, investable and strategically aligned supply chain that helps America and its allies reduce dependence on adversarial sources.

The U.S. has already recognized the need to work with partners.

The Minerals Security Partnership, launched in June 2022, was an attempt to accelerate diverse, sustainable and secure critical energy mineral supply chains. With more than 14 countries and the EU involved, it has helped frame the importance of public and private investment in mining, processing and recycling, particularly across minerals such as lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements.

That should be acknowledged.

But it is not enough.

The MSP is primarily a strategic and diplomatic partnership.

What is still missing is an execution platform that helps emerging allied technologies, allied resource projects and allied processing solutions move from concept to deployment.

That gap matters because many allied projects still face practical barriers when they try to access U.S. support.

For example, foreign allied applicants may need to show that the relevant work cannot be performed in the United States and that it directly serves U.S. national security or manufacturing.

Many DOE grants require significant cost-sharing, often at levels that can be unrealistic for emerging technologies or early-stage projects. EXIM financing can involve export-related tests, including requirements tying a portion of domestic production to exports.

These rules may make sense in narrow programmatic terms. But from a critical minerals policy perspective, they can slow down exactly the projects America should be trying to accelerate.

If an allied country has the resource, the technology, the geography, the processing capability or the operating expertise that strengthens America’s supply chain, the policy system should not make that project harder simply because it is not wholly domestic.

That is why I say: be country-blind if it’s an ally.

This does not mean lowering standards. It means applying high standards across the trusted allied world. It means judging projects by whether they strengthen a secure, transparent, responsible and resilient supply chain — not by whether every part of the solution happens to sit within one national border.

From my perspective, three policy objectives are now essential.

First, America Should Adopt A Country-Blind Allied Eligibility Principle.

The test should not simply be: “Is every part of this project physically inside the United States?”

The better test is: “Does this project strengthen a trusted allied supply chain that reduces dependence on adversarial sources?”

If a project in the Cook Islands, Australia, Canada, Norway, Japan, the United Kingdom or another trusted partner country helps America secure critical minerals, then U.S. policy should be capable of supporting it.

Domestic production remains essential. But domestic production alone will not solve the problem quickly enough. The challenge is too large, too urgent and too technically complex.

Second, The United States Should Create An Allied Critical Mineral Technology Hub And Network.

This would be materially different from the MSP.

The MSP is a country-level partnership.

What I am proposing is a physically grounded, execution-focused technology hub and network, ideally based in the United States, close to policymakers, national laboratories, defense users, capital providers, universities, processing facilities and industrial partners.

Its purpose would be proximity, collaboration and speed.

An Allied Critical Mineral Technology Hub should bring together U.S. agencies, national laboratories, allied governments, private capital, subsea technology companies, processing innovators, environmental-monitoring specialists, logistics providers, offtake buyers and strategic end-users.

The goal should be practical: identify the best allied technologies and move them into real projects.

In subsea minerals, this is critical. The issue is not only whether nodules exist. The harder questions are collection, lifting, environmental monitoring, vessel logistics, metallurgy, processing, offtake, financing and regulatory confidence.

No single country has all of the answers. But the allied world has many of the pieces.

Some of the best subsea engineering may sit with allied companies. Some of the best processing innovation may sit in universities, national laboratories or industrial groups. Some of the most important mineral opportunities may sit in Pacific jurisdictions that are strategically aligned with the United States.

America should organize that capability rather than wait for it to form project by project.

Third, The United States Should Create A Cabinet-level Secretary For Critical Minerals.

Critical minerals policy is currently spread across too many departments, agencies, programs and mandates. DOE has an important role, but critical minerals cannot remain treated as a sub-issue inside the energy bureaucracy.

This is a national security issue. But it is also:

• an industrial strategy issue.  
• a defense issue.
• a foreign policy issue.
• a permitting issue.
• a trade issue.
• a finance issue; and
• a technology issue.

The United States needs a senior official with Cabinet-level authority to work across the whole government.

A Secretary for Critical Minerals should have the power to coordinate across DOE, Interior, Defense, Commerce, State, Treasury, EPA, USTR, EXIM, DFC, the national laboratories and the National Security Council.

The role should not and must not be symbolic.

It should align funding, permitting, offtake, allied supply-chain eligibility, processing strategy, defense procurement, environmental standards and international partnerships.

This role could draw on DOE expertise, but it should not be trapped inside DOE.

The supply-chain problem cuts across government and across borders.

The authority to solve it must do the same.

Without that central authority, critical minerals policy risks remaining fragmented. Each agency may do useful work, but no one owns the whole supply chain.

My week aboard the Anunua Moana reinforced this point. The opportunity in subsea minerals is real. But the path from seabed resource to secure supply chain is not automatic. It requires technology, environmental seriousness, processing capability, finance, offtake and policy alignment.

The United States has started the conversation through initiatives such as the Minerals Security Partnership.

But The Next Phase Must Be More Operational.

America now needs to build the machinery to execute.

That means:

1. Be country-blind if it’s an ally.
2. Create a U.S.-based Allied Critical Mineral Technology Hub and network focused on proximity, collaboration and deployment.
3. Establish a Cabinet-level Secretary for Critical Minerals with authority across the whole U.S. Government.

Critical minerals security will not be achieved by admiring the problem. It will be achieved by organizing the trusted world around a serious execution plan.

Our Managing Director, Boon Tan, has been appointed as one of the Board of Directors of the Australian Chamber of Commerce (AustCham) Singapore.

This milestone reflects his ongoing commitment to strengthening Australia-Singapore business ties and supporting the community across the region. As a board director, he will contribute valuable insights and help foster business relationships between Australia and Singapore.

We are looking forward to the positive impact that our Managing Director, Boon Tan will bring to the AustCham community.

Our Managing Director, Boon Tan together with Ziyan Chong, Kenneth Kwek, Melissa Laurie and Raj Mannar will be part of Aust Cham Singapore’s Business Briefing Series – “From Down Under to Little Red Dot: Tips for AU Businesses Expanding to SG” on June 26, 2025 (3:30 pm – 5:30 pm SGT) for a dynamic panel discussion.

If you are an Aussie who wants to expand your business in Singapore, join us as we discuss the following:

• Tax Talk – How Singapore’s tax system compares to Australia’s, including income tax and GST.
• Hiring Local Talent – Key rules, obligations, and common pitfalls when building a team in Singapore.
• Banking Without Borders – How small businesses can open a Singapore bank account (even from overseas).
• Relocation Essentials – Your options for moving to Singapore with your business – plus what this means for your spouse and family.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear directly from our experts to give you insights, strategies and practical guidance as you expand your business in Singapore with confidence.

Register now and get an early access to our brand-new publication – “Expanding To Singapore: A Guide For Foreign Businesses”.

Registration closes on Monday, 23 June, 5:00PM. If you are having issues registering, please contact events@austcham.org.sg

Andrea Solonge, has been announced as the recipient of the coveted 12th Heath Ledger Scholarship.

Established in 2009 in memory of award-winning actor Heath Ledger, the scholarship is globally regarded as the hottest barometer and platform for the best acting talent coming out of Australia. Known for his generosity and support of fellow actors, the scholarship carries on Heath’s legacy by offering a life-changing education and career development program.

CST is a proud sponsor of the 2024 Heath Ledger Scholarship. Marcus Shimotsu and Jurate Gulbinas, from our US based team, attended the event where the recipient was announced. 

Part of the prize package that Andrea will receive includes US/Australian tax advice and tax return preparation services by our CST tax team. 

“We are delighted to sponsor the Heath Ledger Scholarship,” said John Marcarian, Founder of CST, “and we are looking forward to working with Andrea as she embarks on her new journey in Hollywood.”

CST is an international tax and accounting firm that manages the Australian and USA tax obligations of Australians living between the USA and Australia.

CST is proud to sponsor the 2024 Heath Ledger Scholarship.

Created by Australians in Film Foundation and managed by Australians in Film (“AiF”), the Heath Ledger Scholarship (HLS) is now in its 12^th year and is awarded to an emerging Australian actor who demonstrates extraordinary ability and dedication to their craft and has international aspirations in their career.

 “We are delighted to sponsor the Heath Ledger Scholarship,” said John Marcarian, Founder of CST Accountants & Advisors.

 “Supporting Australians to launch and grow their career abroad is a passion of our firm,” John continued. “The Heath Ledger Scholarship is an amazing opportunity for an Australian actor to break into the competitive US entertainment industry. Getting the best Australia/USA tax advice and guidance on managing money and financial literacy is crucial in these complex times.”

CST Accountants & Advisors is an international tax and accounting firm that manages the Australian and USA tax obligations of Australians living between the USA and Australia.

Through offices in New York, Los Angeles and Sydney, CST provides Australians moving to and living in the US with essential tax advice and services across the two countries.

“We are so thrilled to welcome CST Accountants and Advisors as a supporting partner of Heath Ledger Scholarship. Transitioning your career, life and art to the international stage is a massive step for any actor, and requires the support of teams of people. Taxation and financial literacy is a critical part of that, and we are so pleased to be partnering with John and everyone at CST Accountants and Advisors, as part of the Scholarship Prize this year,” said Peter Ritchie, Executive Director of Australians in Film.

AiF will announce the recipient of the Heath Ledger Scholarship in late October 2024. Past Previous HLS recipients include Cody Fern, Ashleigh Cummings, Charmaine Bingwa, Ryan Corr, Mojean Aria and Rahel Romahn. Finalists for the 2024 Scholarship were announced on 19 September, with the winner announced in Los Angeles on 22 October 2024.

CST is a proud sponsor of the 2024 Heath Ledger Scholarship.

Australians in Film is pleased to announce the finalists of the prestigious Heath Ledger Scholarship 2024.

This year a record number of entries was received, setting a new bar for the scholarship which has been instrumental in shaping the international careers of Australian actors over the last 12 years.

This year, the HLS scholarship also saw an increase in applicants from both culturally diverse and LGBTQ communities.

Established in 2012 in memory of award winning actor, Heath Ledger, the scholarship is globally regarded as the hottest barometer and platform for the best acting talent coming out of Australia.

The six finalists are: Andrea Solonge, Charles Wu, Taj Aldeeb, Kartanya Maynard, Will McDonald and Ezekiel Simat.

Casting Director and Heath Ledger Scholarship Patron Ann Fay, Head of Casting at Maura Fay Casting, said, “Selecting the finalists is always a difficult job, but this year we had an exceptionally skilled pool of applicants to choose from. They each embody the talent necessary to work on an international scale and are all worthy of becoming the next HLS recipient. I’m very happy with our group of six finalists who reflect the high bar of talent coming out of Australia.”

Now in its 12th year, the life-changing education and career development program heralds the most significant prize package to date valued at USD $60,000. The scholarship will provide the 2024 winner with specialized and unique access and training along with the exciting addition of yearlong mentorship by former recipient Bella Heathcote (PIECES OF HER, RELIC) to help them build a career in Hollywood.

The six finalists, chosen by nine US and AUS casting agents, will be flown to Los Angeles by the 2024 Heath Ledger Scholarship airline partner Delta Air Lines for the once in a lifetime opportunity. For the perfect introduction to laid back California cool, each will stay with luxury hotel partner, The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills.

The recipient will be announced on Tuesday October 22 at an exclusive red carpet cocktail party at a Hollywood location.

In the days prior to the exclusive winner unveiling, each finalist will attend an exclusive HLS Scholarship Breakfast (presented by supporting partner Bluestone Lane), and HLS Boot Camp featuring CST Tax and other special guests on hand providing invaluable insights and advice.

A panel of esteemed judges including Sarah Snook (Succession, The Picture Of Dorian Gray), Melanie Lynskey (Yellowjackets, The Tattooist of Auschwitz), Gabrielle Union (The Perfect Find, 10 Things I Hate About You) Charlie Hunnam (The Gentlemen, Criminal, Sons of Anarchy), Simone Kessell (Yellowjackets, Obi-Wan Kenobi) Cleopatra Coleman ((The Last Man on Earth, Clipped) and award winning casting director, Terri Taylor will select the 2024 HLS Recipient.

Seen by Hollywood as the barometer of emerging Australian talent, The Heath Ledger Scholarship has been awarded 11 times, accelerating the careers of previous recipients such as Bella Heathcote (Relic, Pieces of Her), Cody Fern (Eden, American Crime Story), Ashleigh Cummings (NOS4A2. Citadel), Mojean Aria (Shayda, Reminiscence) Charmaine Bingwa (The Good Fight, Emancipation) and most recently Rahel Romahn (Furiosa: a Mad Max Saga, The Surfer)

The 12th Heath Ledger Scholarship Prize includes:

• US$10,000 towards a living allowance, rent and transport assistance in Los Angeles
• One-year mentorship from 2010 recipient Bella Heathcoate. Bella will be on hand for quarterly meetings to help guide the winner as they settle into life in LA.
• Tax advice and US Tax return from CST
• Private coaching and classes from Lisa Robertson Studio.
• Private coaching, classes, and special workshops taught by Jean-Louis Rodrigue and Kristof Konrad of Alexander Techworks.
• Private speech and dialects coaching from Joy Ellison.
• Headshot and publicity look from Sally Flegg Photography (Sydney).
• Hair and Makeup Looks by Sophia Lee (with Sally Flegg Photography).
• Physical approach to Acting Voice De-structuring (Authentic Voice) from Kennedy Brown.
• Immigration Services from Raynor and Associates.
• Virtual Line Rehearsal Service with Professional Actors from Audition Genie.
• Actor Headshot and On-Location Portrait Session’ in Los Angeles from Greg Doherty Photography.
• Self-tape sessions from Stella Tape Studio.
• All Finalists will receive a US$100 voucher to Bluestone Lane Coffee.
• All Finalists will receive a bag courtesy of State of Escape.
• Lifetime membership to Australians in Film, including access to the workspace “Charlie’s” at the AiF offices on The Lot in West Hollywood.

Emma Cooper, Chair of AiF who will host the cocktail event at Soho House West Hollywood says, “The HLS scholarship continues to grow reflecting its importance to the global screen industry. Our aim is to shine a light on the best acting talent coming out of Australia and to uphold Heath’s generous spirit of helping others. We’ve been so excited to see the breadth of talent represented in this year’s finalists and are delighted to help support them as they navigate what will undoubtedly be a successful career in Hollywood.”

Patrons of the Heath Ledger Scholarship are Kim Ledger, Gregor Jordan, Susie Dobson and Ann Fay.

A special thanks to Heath Ledger Scholarship Partners for 2024: Delta Air Lines, The London Hotel West Hollywood at Beverly Hills, Vogue, CST, Bluestone Lane, Penfolds, Golden Globe Foundation and Venroy for helping shine a light on Australia’s best acting talent.

HLS FIRST ROUND JUDGES include from the US: Jason Wood (VP casting, A&E Networks), Barbara McCarthy (The Spectacular Now, Mother’s Day) Alyssa Weisberg (Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker, No Activity), J. McAlary (The L Word: Generation Q, Cargo), Gail Goldberg (10 Things I Hate About You, Ted) and from Australia: Ann Fay, patron of the HLS (NCIS Sydney, The Artful Dodger), Amanda Mitchell (Heartbreak High, Thor Love and Thunder), Anousha Zarkesh (Shayda, Firebite) and Danny Long (Return to the Planet of the Apes, Eden).

In a podcast episode of Barely Legal in Web 3, hosted by Jamilia Grier, Boon Tan, the managing director of CST Tax Advisors, and Chris Holland from Holland & Marie discussed the crypto tax issues and challenges in the Web3 space.

In this episode, our tax experts discussed how to successfully launch token offerings and how the crypto tax system works in Singapore. Gain valuable insights as they delve into the tax issues facing crypto businesses to avoid common pitfalls.

You may also listen to the podcast on Spotify.

Here is a link to the podcast transcript.

Boon Tan, Managing Director of CST in Singapore, recently joined Hemandra Tanapalan, Chief Executive Officer at Mstige Holdings, to discuss the intricate world of Web3. Together they unpack the tax implications of trading NFTs, investment strategies, and the vibrant community dynamics within the space.

In this podcast, Boon delves into topics such as DAOs, GameFI, and opportunities for additional income in Web3. Learn how to manage crypto and NFT profit taxes while navigating the evolving landscape of decentralized finance.

Listen to the podcast on Spotify.

To get the podcast transcript, click this link.

Our Managing Director in Singapore, Boon Tan, will be participating in Singapore Global Network’s “Relocation to Singapore” webinar.

The webinar is designed for foreigners relocating to Singapore, including job seekers, trailing spouses, and students.

Boon will be joined by Ms Marina Lopes, who has been residing in Singapore with her family since 2021. Boon and Marina will guide you through the process to ensure you embark on your Singaporean adventure with confidence.  

Hear from the personal experiences of those who have made the move, on various topics such as housing, transportation, children’s education, navigating work culture, social norms, and career options for trailing spouses.   

Whether you’re in the initial stages of planning or have already made the decision to relocate, we aim to assist you in assimilating seamlessly to our beautiful island, Singapore!  

Event sign up page: https://community.singaporeglobalnetwork.gov.sg/events/4585

Section 6048 requires US taxpayers to make an annual report regarding financial or asset transfers in relation to the receipt of distributions from foreign trusts. Taxpayers can be penalised if they fail to comply. Unfortunately many taxpayers have been caught out when it comes to reporting foreign retirement investments and other trusts. 

On March 2nd 2020 the IRS released Rev. Proc. 202-17. This change comes into effect on March 16 and provides taxpayers with certain foreign investments with an exemption from section 6048 reporting requirements on those investments. Accordingly, eligible US citizens with some tax favored foreign retirement investments and other trusts, have less duties in their reporting requirements. Furthermore, eligible individuals can now apply for a refund of any penalties that they have incurred as a result of section 6048 reporting requirements with their applicable tax-favored foreign trusts. 

The reason behind the change is that there are already a number of restrictions imposed by the countries where those trusts are located and there are already additional reporting requirements in the US under section 6038D regarding interests in these trusts. This alleviates the pressure of being penalized for meeting the section 6048 reporting requirements and reverses the penalties previously imposed in such cases. 

Once the change comes into place it will apply to any prior tax year that is still open. 

One of the reasons this relief is important is because it covers a requirement that many taxpayers and tax professionals haven’t realized was in place. This is because people tended to assume that the tax and reporting requirements were deferred until the point of retirement and they didn’t understand which international information reporting forms were to be used. Alleviating this reporting requirement will help reduce a lot of confusion in the field. 

If you have a foreign retirement or trust investment that may qualify you should look into Rev. Proc. 2020-17 or seek further advice for your specific situation.