The world is in a high-stakes race for minerals that underpin cutting-edge technologies — lithium, copper, rare earth elements and more — including those at the forefront of our energy and national security. America holds significant mineral resources, yet obstructive mining policy has led to ever-growing reliance on mineral imports, including those from geopolitical rivals.
President Trump’s recent minerals executive order marks a turning point for U.S. mineral policy. By invoking the Defense Production Act, prioritizing mining on federal lands, tackling permitting challenges and providing targeted financial support to domestic producers, the administration is finally addressing mineral security with the urgency it requires. This decisive move ends years of half-measures and hand-wringing that left America increasingly vulnerable to mineral supply chain manipulation.
The order employs a whole-of-government strategy, coordinating the Departments of Defense and Interior, the Small Business Administration, the Development Finance Corporation, among other agencies — precisely the unified response America’s mining sector, economy and national security need.
America’s Mineral Wealth: A Missed Opportunity
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the U.S. possesses vast mineral resources, including major deposits of lithium in Nevada, copper in Arizona, and rare earth elements in California, Texas and Wyoming. Despite this, in 2024, America remained 100% reliant on imports for 15 minerals and over 50% reliant on 31 others.
Our permitting and legal systems have imposed unacceptable impediments to realizing our mineral potential. A recent study from S&P Global found that it takes an average of 29 years to bring a mine online in the United States — longer than any other country except Zambia.
Our self-imposed barriers to greater mineral production and our crippling dependence on imports, particularly from China, threatens our national security and our industrial base.
China has already weaponized our mineral insecurity. In just the past year, Beijing has cut off or limited access to key minerals we need but currently don’t produce here to exert leverage in an escalating trade fight.
The minerals executive order directly confronts this threat, instructing Defense to prioritize domestic mineral development, giving Interior Secretary Doug Burgum 10 days to identify mineral-rich federal lands, and expediting permitting for immediately actionable projects. The order also directs a variety of agencies to provide financial assistance to level the playing field for domestic producers against anti-competitive trade practices from overseas producers. Together, these actions aren’t just a step forward, they’re a leap.
A National Security Imperative
President Trump’s action underscores that delay is no longer an option. Ramping up American mining is a national security imperative. Streamlined, transparent permitting processes combined with strategic financing to counter foreign manipulation will challenge China’s mineral extortion and restore U.S. leadership in mineral supply chains.
Demand for minerals is rising — and so is the opportunity for American mining leadership. With strategic policies aligning with our vast mineral resources, America can secure a reliable energy future, revitalize manufacturing, rebuild our industrial base and generate lasting, high-quality jobs.
For the first time in decades, American mining policy is positioned to strengthen — not undermine — our supply chain security. This executive order opens the door. Now, we must move forward with urgency and purpose. American miners stand ready to deliver.