Pentagon Announces $1 Billion Investment in 17 Critical Minerals to Reduce Reliance on China
The Pentagon has unveiled plans to allocate $1 billion in 2025 toward securing the supply of 17 critical minerals essential for national security and advanced technologies. The MOVE targets materials vital for electric vehicles, solar panels, defense systems, and computing infrastructure.
Rare earth elements dominate the list, including neodymium for high-strength magnets and terbium for electronics. Base metals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel—crucial for battery technologies—feature prominently alongside strategic resources such as uranium and platinum group metals.
This initiative directly challenges China's dominance in rare earth processing, where it controls over 80% of global supply. Recent export restrictions by Beijing have accelerated Western efforts to establish alternative supply chains. The investment underscores minerals' evolving role as geopolitical leverage in tech supremacy.
