President Trump Begins Countering China’s Mineral Mining Offensive
Trump invokes wartime powers to increase production of critical minerals. Meanwhile, a congressional hearing reveals the extent of China’s mining operation in Africa and its exploitation of children.
During the lethargic Biden administration, China has essentially been engaged in a mineral mining offensive.
The Chinese have been aggressively acquiring assets and expanding their influence in the mineral sector worldwide, targeting minerals essential for electronics and equipment to produce renewable energy. In recent years, the pace of acquisitions has accelerated:
- In 2024, Chinese firms invested approximately $16 billion in foreign mining operations.
- A Chinese state-owned company approved a $15 billion investment in partnership with Rio Tinto in Guinea in 2024 for iron ore.
- China accounted for over 50% of global metal consumption in 2023.
- China controls significant portions of refined mineral production, including 60% of battery-grade lithium, 65% of nickel, and 70% of cobalt.
I could go on, but it is clear that China has no qualms about putting itself first.
Now President Donald Trump is mounting an economic counteroffensive.
Last week, Trump recently signed an executive order invoking the Defense Production Act (DPA) to accelerate domestic production of critical minerals. The initiative aims to reduce American reliance on foreign imports, particularly from China, which now dominates the global supply chain for many essential minerals such as rare earths, uranium, copper, potash, and gold.
The order gives Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in consultation with other executive branch agency heads, the authority to use the Defense Production Act to facilitate the advancement of domestic mineral production.
The act, which was passed in 1950 in response to production needs during the Korean War, gives the government more control during emergencies to direct industrial production. Trump invoked it in 2020 at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The executive order also directs relevant department and agency heads, in coordination with the chair of the National Energy Dominance Council, to identify and expedite priority mineral production projects that can be “immediately approved” or immediately issued permits.
“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 states.
The mining companies, who would be hiring skilled workers while creating a domestic resource, praised the executive order.
Ucore Rare Metals, which is currently working with the Department of Defense on rare earth elements processing technology, called the order a move that “underscores the urgent need to establish robust, domestic rare earth processing capabilities” in a recent press release.
CEO Pat Ryan noted that the Trump administration’s efforts align with Ucore’s plans to commercialize its refining technology, which would help reduce the country’s dependence on Chinese processing facilities.
Similarly, American Tungsten praised the initiative, citing the need for an independent tungsten supply chain. “This Executive Order is a clear endorsement for America’s mining industry. We believe our tungsten project, the IMA Mine, is a core example of why critical mineral production in the U.S. must be prioritized and addressed without delay,” commented CEO Murray Nye in a statement.
While environmental groups will complain, the move arguably will help the quality of life and the environment around the world.
China’s mining industry, particularly in rare earth and graphite extraction, has caused severe environmental degradation and health risks. The impact is widespread, affecting air, water, and soil quality across multiple regions, especially in Africa.
But beyond land and water pollution, China is reportedly exploiting Congo’s children to work the mines. During a congressional hearing chaired by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (Rep., NJ-04), chairman of the House Foreign Affair Subcommittee on Africa, testimony was offered about the shocking nature of China’s operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Ghana.
Experts testified on how Beijing’s resource-driven policies contribute to child forced labor, geopolitical tensions across the continent, and threaten U.S. national security.
“The greatest beneficiaries of this system—China’s state-owned mining companies—remain silent, refusing to confront an undeniable reality: from dirt to battery, from cobalt to cars, the entire supply chain is built on violence, exploitation, and corruption. This must change—and the time for change is now,” Smith said.
Of all the executive orders Trump has so far issued, this one has the potential to be the most significant… and the most protective of both humanity and the planet.
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Comments
Maybe coal workers can stop coding and get back to mining.
Considering that coal ash is loaded with rare earth elements, we should probably return to in part, coal power plants.
Perhaps some selective sabotage of chinese mines is called for. Set them on fire, I suppose that is not very nice but neither is the slave loving chinese.
Use the Francisco D’Anconia method: pump up the future potential of a mine, have them.buy it for an exorbitant amount, only to find it’s a dud.
greenland/denmarks knowing this should sell to the usa all the mineral rights for 1usd and a 10% cut of the rest
Biden’s epa was busy closing off areas known to have critical rare earth minerals here in the US. Who was in Chinas pocket? Oh yeah, the Biden’s.
How about booting China out of our uranium mines?
After four years of the interminably and immutably wretched, destructive, incompetent, subversive and stupid Biden-Harris regime — led by the minions/acolytes of narcissist-incompetent-dunce, Obama — it feels a little strange having an unabashedly pro-U.S. President and Administration leading the country, again. But, it is a welcome change.