U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the Secretary of Commerce to launch an investigation into the country’s heavy reliance on imported critical minerals.
The order, issued on Tuesday, highlights concerns over the vulnerability of U.S. supply chains and their potential risks to national security, defense readiness, and economic stability.
The executive order stresses that the dependence on imports for essential minerals, particularly rare earth elements (REEs), has raised significant security and economic concerns. “The dependence of the United States on imports and the vulnerability of our supply chains raises the potential for risks to national security, defense readiness, price stability, and economic prosperity and resilience,” the order states.
This move is seen as part of an effort to break China’s dominance in the critical minerals sector, which is vital for the production of advanced technologies, defense systems, and renewable energy products. China currently controls 69% of global rare earth production and holds 49% of the world’s estimated reserves, according to the U.S. Geological Survey’s 2024 data.
The executive order also follows Trump's March 20 decision to encourage both public and private investments aimed at boosting the U.S. production of critical minerals. The order outlines the establishment of financing and credit mechanisms to enhance the country’s energy and critical minerals sectors.
This new directive builds on previous actions, including the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration in 2018 on Chinese goods, which led to retaliatory measures from Beijing, including tighter controls over the export of rare earths. The latest restrictions were implemented by China on April 4, just days after new U.S. tariffs were announced.
As global demand for critical minerals continues to rise, the U.S. is focusing on reducing its dependency on China and securing a more resilient and self-sufficient supply chain. The investigation into mineral imports is part of broader efforts to strengthen U.S. economic and security positions in an increasingly competitive global market.
The world has already entered an era of global water bankruptcy, with irreversible damage to rivers, aquifers, lakes and glaciers pushing billions of ...
U.S. forces have seized another oil tanker linked to Venezuela in the Caribbean, marking the seventh such detention in recent weeks as Washington inte...
U.S. President Donald Trump joined a White House briefing on Tuesday, using the appearance to defend his approach to NATO and claim credit for increas...
Türkiye is closely monitoring developments in Syria and considers the country’s unity and territorial integrity vital for regional stability, Presi...
President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev outlined Azerbaijan’s economic priorities, investment strategy and regional connectivity role while speaking a...
The world has already entered an era of global water bankruptcy, with irreversible damage to rivers, aquifers, lakes and glaciers pushing billions of people into long-term water insecurity, according to a major United Nations report released on Tuesday.
U.S. forces have seized another oil tanker linked to Venezuela in the Caribbean, marking the seventh such detention in recent weeks as Washington intensifies enforcement of sanctions on illicit oil shipments.
U.S. President Donald Trump joined a White House briefing on Tuesday, using the appearance to defend his approach to NATO and claim credit for increased defence spending by alliance members, as disputes with European partners over security and Greenland continue.
Türkiye is closely monitoring developments in Syria and considers the country’s unity and territorial integrity vital for regional stability, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told Donald Trump during a phone call on Tuesday, according to Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.
Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani has died at the age of 93, his foundation said on Monday.
More than 100 vehicles were involved in a massive pileup on Interstate 96 in western Michigan on Monday (19 January), forcing the highway to shut in both directions amid severe winter weather.
The European Parliament has frozen the ratification of a trade agreement with the United States after fresh tariff threats from Donald Trump, escalating tensions between Washington and Brussels.
A fresh consignment of precision-guided munitions has departed from the Indian city of Nagpur bound for Yerevan, marking the latest phase in the rapidly expanding defence partnership between India and Armenia.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 19 January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. forces have seized another oil tanker linked to Venezuela in the Caribbean, marking the seventh such detention in recent weeks as Washington intensifies enforcement of sanctions on illicit oil shipments.
Türkiye is closely monitoring developments in Syria and considers the country’s unity and territorial integrity vital for regional stability, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told Donald Trump during a phone call on Tuesday, according to Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.
Poland will begin phasing out the special residence and welfare rules granted to Ukrainians who fled the war with Russia, shifting them onto the country’s standard legal framework for foreign nationals from March, the government said on Tuesday.
U.S. President Donald Trump joined a White House briefing on Tuesday, using the appearance to defend his approach to NATO and claim credit for increased defence spending by alliance members, as disputes with European partners over security and Greenland continue.
The European Union has proposed new restrictions on exports of drone and missile-related technology to Iran, while preparing additional sanctions in response to what it described as Tehran’s ‘brutal suppression’ of protesters.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment