US President Donald J. Trump has signed an Executive Order launching an investigation into the national security risks posed by the country’s reliance on imported processed critical minerals and their derivative products.
The investigation, which will assess vulnerabilities in supply chains, economic impact of foreign market distortions, and potential trade remedies, aims to strengthen domestic production, reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, and enhance economic and national security.
Critically, rare earth elements are essential for national security and economic resilience. Processed critical minerals and their derivative products form the basis of America’s defense industrial base, integral to applications such as jet engines, missile guidance systems, advanced computing, radar systems, and secure communications equipment.
The US remains heavily dependent on foreign sources, particularly adversarial nations, exposing the economy and defense sector to supply chain disruptions and economic coercion. Foreign producers have engaged in price manipulation, overcapacity, and arbitrary export restrictions, using their supply chain dominance as a tool for geopolitical and economic leverage over the United States.
This Executive Order builds on previous actions taken by the Trump Administration to ensure U.S. trade policy serves the nation’s long-term interests. The move comes amid efforts to restore fairness in U.S. trade relationships and counter non-reciprocal trade agreements, including proclamations to close existing loopholes and exemptions.
Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/04/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-ensures-national-security-and-economic-resilience-through-section-232-actions-on-processed-critical-minerals-and-derivative-products