China's intensified control over scarce rare earth elements demonstrates Trump's assertion of the need for self-reliance is justified.
The Trump administration is taking a multi-faceted approach to achieve US independence from China's control over rare earth elements (REEs), crucial components for various modern products, including laptops, electric vehicles, smartphones, and military equipment.
Key strategies include:
- Trade negotiations with China: Following a period of trade disputes and tariff escalations, the US and China reached agreements in mid-2025 to facilitate rare earth exports to the US. These include suspensions of Chinese export restrictions and the creation of expedited “green channels” for trusted US companies to receive licenses for rare earth shipments. However, some restrictions remain for rare earths critical to military applications, such as samarium. These agreements are seen as temporary truces in an otherwise unstable trade relationship.
- Domestic production boost under the Defense Production Act: In March 2025, Trump invoked the Defense Production Act (DPA) to stimulate exploration, mining, and refining of rare earth minerals domestically. The aim is to reduce dependence on Chinese imports by building up US capacity to process and produce these minerals.
- Diversification of supply chains through foreign partnerships: The administration is actively considering proposals to source rare earth minerals from alternative suppliers outside China, notably Myanmar. Reports indicate exploration of potential deals with Myanmar’s military junta or rebel groups to access their substantial rare earth deposits, especially heavier rare earths. Cooperation may also involve strategic partners in the “Quad” grouping (US, India, Australia, Japan) to process these minerals and supply them to the US, though practical realization will take years due to infrastructure needs.
These strategies reveal a multifaceted approach combining diplomacy, domestic industrial policy, and new international partnerships aimed at lessening US dependency on China for rare earths. However, experts recognize that because rare earth mining and processing are technically demanding with long lead times, short-term reliance on Chinese supplies is likely to continue despite these efforts.
The Trump administration's efforts are not limited to these strategies. Companies like Apple have taken steps to reduce their reliance on China for rare earths. For instance, Apple signed a $500 million deal with MP Materials, the operator of the only rare earths mine in the United States. The deal is the first step; ramping up further domestic production requires significant cash and time investment.
Moreover, the Department of Defense recently signed a $400 million deal to buy 15% equity in MP Materials. The peace deal between Rwanda and the Congo, negotiated by the Trump administration, could potentially include mineral agreements for rare earths. Investments in recycling could make materials from old phones and laptops reusable, potentially playing a part in securing rare earths.
However, China continues to tighten its control over the rare-earth market, with the Chinese Communist Party using quotas to control the supply since 2006. Beijing is being secretive about the amounts of rare earths it will allow this year, and President Xi Jinping used rare earth exports as a leveraging tool during trade talks with the White House in April. The Trump administration is working towards dismantling China's lock on rare earths, recognising it as a potential threat.
Summary Table
| Strategy | Description | Status / Challenges | |---------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------| | Trade negotiations with China | Agreements to resume shipments, temporary export suspensions | Partial easing, but some military-use restrictions remain; unstable relations[1][2] | | Domestic production under DPA | Boosting US mining and refining capacity | Encouraging but long-term, complex and costly[2] | | Sourcing from Myanmar & allies | Exploring deals with Myanmar's military/rebels; Quad cooperation | Promising but years away; political and infrastructure challenges[3][4] |
In an effort to reduce US reliance on China for rare earth elements, Apple signed a $500 million deal with MP Materials, the only rare earths mine operator in the United States, to secure supplies for their tech products. Additionally, in light of the potential strategic advantage of sports rivalry, competitive sports technology could benefit from the developing market for domestically sourced and recycled rare earth elements.
