This U.S. Under Trump is Strengthening Critical Minerals Sovereignty

The United States is enhancing its control over critical minerals by reducing reliance on China. This effort is led by President Trump, using emergency powers to prioritize domestic mining and develop refining facilities.

1. Economic Action:

• The U. S. is focusing on reclaiming its critical minerals supply chain.

• President Trump has authorized the development of metals refining facilities on military bases.

2. Defense Production Act (DPA):

• The DPA allows expedited permitting, financial incentives for domestic projects, and prioritization of federal lands for mineral refining.

• The goal is to build a secure and resilient supply chain for critical minerals.

3. Location Concerns:

• While military bases offer land and security, they may not be located near mineral deposits.

• Efficient supply chains benefit from processing facilities near mining sites, reducing transportation costs.

4. Supply Chain Stages:

• The critical minerals supply chain involves five stages: resource mining, beneficiation, processing, refining, and manufacturing.

• China dominates processing and refining, with the U. S. currently exporting most of its rare earth elements.

5. Domestic Investment Needed:

• The U. S. must open new mines, build processing plants, and return manufacturing to within its borders.

• Relying only on raw materials without a complete supply chain will maintain U. S. dependence on other countries.

6. Government Support:

• A free-market economy alone cannot compete with China's subsidized mineral industry.

• Targeted government support is necessary for American companies to compete fairly.

7. Environmental Responsibility:

• Sustainability is crucial alongside mineral development to demonstrate that environmental care and resource security can coexist.

The U. S. is at a critical juncture to enhance its mineral independence, but this requires coordinated efforts from the government and industry. A comprehensive approach that includes support across all supply chain stages, trade policy reforms, and sustainability efforts is essential. The invocation of the DPA is a significant step towards these goals, promoting U. S. leadership in the critical minerals sector. 

https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2025/04/this_u_s_under_trump_is_strengthening_critical_minerals_sovereignty.html