Trump Issues Executive Order to Reduce US Dependence on Foreign Minerals
President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Dec. 20 to reduce U.S. “vulnerability” to disruptions in the supply of critical minerals, and direct the identification of new mineral sources and increased domestic exploration and mining, among other activities. The…
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U.S. "is heavily reliant on imports of certain mineral commodities that are vital to the Nation’s security and economic prosperity," creating a military “strategic vulnerability” to “adverse” foreign action and natural disasters, the order says. “An increase in private‑sector domestic exploration, production, recycling, and reprocessing of critical minerals, and support for efforts to identify more commonly available technological alternatives to these minerals, will reduce our dependence on imports, preserve our leadership in technological innovation, support job creation, improve our national security and balance of trade, and enhance the technological superiority and readiness of our Armed Forces,” the order says.