During his first Presidency (2017–2021), Donald Trump placed renewed focus on rare earth minerals, recognizing their critical importance to U.S. national security, technology, and economic independence – especially amid growing tensions with China. His administration took several steps to secure domestic supply chains for these materials, which are vital for everything from smartphones to fighter jets.
Why Rare Earths mattered to President Trump? Rare earth minerals contain elements essential for military systems (e.g., missiles, radars, and aircraft components); electronics (e.g., smartphones, batteries, and displays) as well as for clean energy technologies (e.g., wind turbines and electric vehicles).
At the time, the U.S. was heavily dependent on China, which controlled over 80% of the global rare earth processing market. The Trump administration saw this as a strategic vulnerability.
What Was in Trump’s Rare Earth Policy? Trump’s efforts to boost rare earth mineral production and reduce reliance on foreign sources included: Executive Orders and National Emergency Declarations – in 2017, rare earths were identified as critical minerals under a Trump-commissioned list by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). In 2020, Trump issued an executive order declaring a national emergency over the U.S.’s reliance on foreign rare earths, particularly from “adversarial nations.” It authorized the Defense Production Act to fund and accelerate domestic mining and processing.
Funding for U.S. Projects – the Trump administration allocated millions of dollars through the Department of Defense to support rare earth mining and processing projects in the U.S., including partnerships with companies like MP Materials, which owns the Mountain Pass mine in California, the only rare earth mine in operation in the U.S.
Trade Policy and Tariffs – during the U.S. – China trade war, rare earths became a bargaining chip. China threatened to limit exports of rare earths to the U.S., prompting Trump to look for non-Chinese sources – such as Australia and Canada – and to support domestic alternatives.
International Partnerships – Trump’s administration signed agreements with allies like Australia and Japan to create alternative supply chains for rare earth materials, bypassing Chinese control.
What’s the Legacy? Trump’s actions brought rare earths into mainstream political and industrial focus. While he did not fully re-establish U.S. rare earth independence, his administration laid the groundwork for greater U.S. investment in critical mineral supply chains; renewed interest in rare earth refining and recycling and stronger international cooperation on resource security
His successor, President Biden, has largely continued and expanded these efforts, especially within the context of climate policy and green technology development.
To conclude, President Trump’s rare earth policy was rooted in strategic competition and national security. What was “in it” was a recognition that these minerals – though invisible in daily life – power some of the most important technologies in Defense, energy, and industry. His administration’s focus on rare earths helped shift the U.S. toward a more secure and self-reliant future in critical minerals.
