The Trump administration is expected to unveil new investment deals and workforce initiatives as Washington seeks to strengthen domestic and allied critical mineral supply chains to support defence production and reduce reliance on China.
US President Donald Trump will host executives from some of the world’s largest mining companies at the State Department on Friday as his administration accelerates efforts to secure critical minerals essential for defence manufacturing and national security.
The meeting comes as Washington looks to replenish military stockpiles depleted during the recent Iran conflict while reducing dependence on Chinese-controlled mineral supply chains. Critical minerals such as rare earths, tungsten, germanium and scandium are vital for manufacturing precision-guided missiles, fighter aircraft, armoured vehicles, infrared sensors and other advanced defence systems.
According to Reuters, industry leaders expected to attend include Rio Tinto, BHP Group, Freeport-McMoRan, MP Materials, USA Rare Earth, Energy Fuels and The Metals Company.
The administration is also expected to announce several investment agreements and memorandums of understanding aimed at boosting domestic mining and mineral processing capacity.
Apart from securing supplies, the White House is seeking to address a shortage of engineers, geologists, miners and technicians needed to expand the US mining sector. Earlier in the day, the Department of Energy will host representatives from all 14 accredited US mining schools to encourage students to pursue careers in the industry.
More from BusinessSince returning to office, Trump has launched a $12 billion strategic minerals stockpile, backed equity investments in US mining and processing projects, and introduced measures to reduce defence contractors’ reliance on Chinese mineral supplies.
The administration argues that government support is necessary to counter decades of Chinese investment that has helped Beijing dominate the global mining and processing of several strategic minerals.
