Pentagon expands mineral deals amid Beijing’s export crackdown
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The Pentagon has begun a sweeping $1 billion mineral stockpile program to reduce U.S. reliance on China’s control over critical materials used in defense and tech manufacturing, according to public filings from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). This comes as President Donald Trump, who just two days ago vowed 100% tariffs on all Chinese imports, began to hint at a possible meeting with Xi Jinping to cool tensions. The U.S. Department of Defense is attempting to rebuild its mineral reserves after years of dependence on China’s supply chains for key metals such as cobalt, antimony, and rare earth elements vital to weapons systems, radar technology, and fighter jet components. According to the Financial Times, a former defense official said the $1 billion push was far faster than previous efforts, calling it an “acceleration” of America’s mineral buildup. Pentagon expands mineral deals amid Beijing’s export crackdown This week, China announced sweeping export restrictions on rare earths and related technologies, triggering fears in Washington and Europe over access to materials vital to both industry and national defense. Trump reacted quickly, saying he would not meet Xi later this month as planned and declaring that Beijing’s plan was to “hold the world captive.” He warned of a 100% tariff in response, telling reporters, “There is no way that China should be allowed to hold the world captive, but that seems to have been their plan.” Inside the Pentagon, the mineral buildup has become a top-tier national security issue. Stephanie Barna, a lawyer at Covington & Burling in Washington, said China’s control over these minerals “would have a direct, palpable and adverse effect on U.S. ability to field the kind of high-tech capabilities needed for any strategic competition or conflict.” The DLA’s latest filings show intentions to buy up to $500 million in cobalt,…
