WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Angus King (I-ME), Chris Coons (D-DE), and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) introduced legislation to strengthen America’s national security by ensuring the U.S. and its allies can count on diverse and secure end-to-end supply of critical minerals. Critical minerals, such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements, are necessary inputs for technologies that play critical roles in our national security, including military equipment, defense systems, and storage for our power grid. However, China currently dominates the mining, processing, and manufacturing of the majority of these minerals raising substantial economic and national security concerns.
“Now is not the time to play fast and loose with America’s national security,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Securing the supply chain of critical minerals is an important step in ensuring we support our military, protect American families, and put America’s best interest first.”
“The global demand for critical minerals continues to grow at exponential rates, and it is crucial that the U.S. identify secure sources of these minerals so that we can count on them for national security and critical infrastructure applications,” said Senator Warner. “Currently, China dominates the critical mineral industry and is actively working to ensure that the U.S. does not catch up. The U.S. must, alongside allies, take meaningful steps to protect and expand our production and procurement of these critical minerals. This legislation will serve as a roadmap for the U.S. to counter China’s dominance in this sector.”
“Our national security interests are heavily dependent on critical minerals, which are vital for modern technology and national defense. The U.S. must have a comprehensive response to China’s dominion over the global critical mineral industry. With our consensus package, Senator Warner and I hope to free our nation’s supply chains from China’s industrial monopoly,” said Senator Rubio.
The legislation would enhance diplomatic and financial tools to support public and private sectors in securing and processing these minerals by:
- Streamlining diplomatic efforts for securing minerals;
- Establishing diplomatic support for private sector investments abroad;
- Enhancing financial tools of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM);
- Creating a fund to assist investments in critical minerals;
- Enhancing public-private information sharing on manipulative adversary practices;
- Creating a public website to assist private sector companies in navigating government resources and financial support; and
- Expanding allied partnerships to secure critical minerals.
The legislation would also work to increase U.S. procurement of critical minerals in order offset China’s ability to manipulate and monopolize the market, including by:
- Requiring a report on the use of and need for new or expanded authorities to increase domestic production and procurement;
- Requiring an assessment on imposing duties on imported minerals, in particular from China; and
- Requiring a whole-of-government effort to develop workforce training programs to advance end-to-end critical mineral capabilities.
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