Article

The U.S. Secretary has highlighted significant national security risks associated with the country's reliance on imported processed critical minerals and their derivatives, noting that the U.S. is 100% dependent on imports for 12 critical minerals.

Despite being a leading producer of unprocessed rare earth oxides, the U.S. lacks adequate domestic processing capacity, which poses vulnerabilities amid rising demand from defense and high-tech industries. Recommendations include negotiating supply agreements with foreign nations and potentially implementing import restrictions if necessary agreements are not established promptly.