In April 2025, China once again reminded the world that its control of mineral supply chains has become an untenable vulnerability. Beijing’s decision to impose new export restrictions on seven elements, including dysprosium, neodymium and terbium, sent a clear signal: the United States must break its reliance on adversarial nations for the materials that are the irreplaceable inputs for our industrial base, energy systems, cutting-edge technology sector and our defense platforms.
Rare earths like dysprosium, essential for missile guidance systems and permanent magnets, and terbium, good for energy-efficient lighting and solid-state devices, are mission-critical to nearly every dimension of our economy and national security. Until recently, though, China accounted for more than 70% of global rare earth mineral production and refined nearly 90% of it (U.S. Geological Survey, 2024).
That should feel staggering. The threat is real. When a geopolitical rival uses market dominance to restrict global access, the United States must answer with more than words. We must answer with resolve.
The first months of the Trump administration have brought important steps forward in countering China’s mineral threat.
Executive Action and Early Progress on Domestic Supply Chains
In March, President Trump issued Executive Order 14241, a bold and necessary directive aimed at strengthening America’s domestic mineral supply chains. The order streamlines permitting for critical mineral projects, unlocks financial tools to support U.S. mining investment and directs federal agencies, including the Departments of the Interior and Defense, and the Development Finance Corporation, to prioritize domestic sourcing.
The results are already taking shape. As of this writing, dozens of minerals projects have been added to the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council’s FAST-41 dashboard (Permitting Dashboard), a move that brings greater transparency, speed and predictability to an overly cumbersome regulatory process.
FAST-41 status is transformative. On average, FAST-41 projects move 15-18 months faster through the permitting process (Congressional Research Service, 2023), helping streamline decision-making and giving producers new confidence in the U.S. permitting process.
Building Processing Capacity and Government-Backed Investment
Beyond permitting, the U.S. is rebuilding its rare earth capabilities. For example, at Mountain Pass, California, MP Materials is expanding domestic production of rare earths, including neodymium and dysprosium, for use in permanent magnets, backed by federal contracts through the Department of Defense.
Meanwhile, the Department of Defense has ramped up its use of Defense Production Act Title III authorities to invest directly in domestic mineral processing and refining capacity. Coupled with the Development Finance Corporation’s expanded mandate, which now allows support for domestic mining projects crucial to U.S. interests, we are seeing a true whole-of-government approach to this challenge.
Mining with Integrity and a Call for Continued Action
This is our moment to lead. With vast mineral resources, a skilled workforce and a deep well of innovation, the United States is uniquely positioned to shape the future of responsible mineral development, and to do so on our own terms.
And we’re doing it the right way, with integrity. American mining operates under the highest environmental and labor standards in the world. It also means fewer supply chain disruptions and greater control over our economic future and national security.
This momentum needs more support. We must advocate for:
- Streamlined permitting that upholds environmental protections without paralyzing progress.
- Public-private partnerships that align industry investment with national priorities.
- Federal loans, grants, tax incentives and price support to de-risk mineral projects and level the playing field against global competitors.
- Workforce development to ensure we have the skilled labor needed to fuel this resurgence.
- Ongoing legislative backing, such as bipartisan efforts to fund mineral mapping, recycling innovation and downstream processing.
Patriotism in Action
Strengthening our mineral security is more than policy: it is patriotism in action. Every mineral we mine at home is a step toward supply chain security, defense readiness and economic sovereignty. The stakes are high. And so is our potential. America stands ready to lead. Let’s break China’s mineral chokehold. Let’s mine for the future, right here at home.