Overview
- President Trump invoked Section 232 to direct Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to negotiate agreements that reduce national‑security vulnerabilities from processed critical mineral imports.
- Negotiators are instructed to consider coordinated tools such as price floors, with the proclamation allowing tariffs, quotas or minimum import prices if agreements are not reached within 180 days.
- The White House cites heavy U.S. import dependence—including 100% reliance for 12 critical minerals—and China’s dominance in processing as the core rationale for action.
- Bipartisan lawmakers unveiled the SECURE Minerals Act to establish a $2.5 billion Strategic Resilience Reserve governed by a seven‑member board, enabling stockpiling, potential Western price benchmarks and optional allied participation.
- Parallel efforts continue through Pentagon‑backed investments and G7‑linked discussions on price stabilization, including U.S. equity stakes in key firms and talks this week on coordinated price floors.