Monday, February 2, 2026 at 11:08 PM
The Trump administration is launching a $12 billion strategic stockpile of critical minerals to counteract Chinese market manipulation, with funding from the U.S. Export-Import Bank and private sources.
The plan for the newly created U.S. Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve borrows from Beijing’s longstanding playbook.
The pacts seek to establish a “preferential trade zone” that would counter China’s dominance in the sector.
The new strategy will give priority to overseas partners that have invested in their own military defenses.
Companies are bringing in retired military brass to navigate Washington and win Pentagon contracts.
