Legal Insurrection by Leslie Eastman 3/31/2025
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.
More:
https://legalinsurrection.com/2025/03/president-trump-begins-countering-chinas-mineral-mining-offensive/
