Congress Proposes $2.5 Billion National Reserve to Secure Critical Minerals and Reduce Reliance on China

The U.S. is 100% import-reliant for 12 critical minerals, and imports more than half of 28 others, out of 60 total on the government's official list.

China controls roughly 69% of global rare earth mining output and processes over 80% of the world's rare earths — giving it dominance at nearly every step of the supply chain.

The U.S. imported approximately 70% of its rare earth elements from China between 2020 and 2023, according to USGS trade data.

USGS modeling finds a samarium supply cut-off from China would reduce U.S. GDP by $4.5 billion; a rhodium cut-off from South Africa could hit $64 billion — but that scenario has only a 3.9% estimated probability.

Getting a new mine into production takes an average of 29 years in the U.S. — the second longest timeline in the world — compared to roughly 2–3 years for permitting alone in Canada and Australia.