Trump invokes emergency powers to boost US mineral production amid trade war

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President Donald Trump has invoked emergency powers to ramp up domestic production of critical minerals, aiming to reduce US dependence on foreign imports, particularly from China.

The executive order, issued under Cold War-era legislation, directs government agencies—including the Department of Defense—to prioritize mining projects and provide financial and technical support to expand critical mineral production.

“Our national and economic security are now acutely threatened by our reliance upon hostile foreign powers’ mineral production,” the executive order stated. “It is imperative for our national security that the United States take immediate action to facilitate domestic mineral production to the maximum possible extent.”

The order calls for an acceleration of mining permits and instructs the Department of the Interior to prioritize mineral extraction on federal lands. This move comes as tensions with China continue to rise. Beijing, which dominates the global supply of several critical minerals, imposed restrictions last year on certain mineral exports to the US, forcing American firms to seek alternative sources.

Critical minerals are essential for technologies ranging from batteries to advanced weapons systems, making them a key component of both economic and military strategy. Trump’s broader mineral strategy also includes securing resources from overseas. He revealed on Thursday that a deal with Ukraine is imminent. “We’re also signing agreements in various locations to unlock rare earths and minerals and lots of other things all over the world, but in particular Ukraine,” he said.

In addition to Ukraine, the US is negotiating a potential agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo, another major player in the mineral market. Trump has previously floated the idea of acquiring Greenland, a Danish territory rich in rare earth minerals, as part of his resource expansion efforts.

With trade tensions escalating and global supply chains increasingly uncertain, Trump’s aggressive push to secure critical minerals signals a major shift in US economic and defense policy.