Input Stories

President Trump yesterday added 10 minerals, including uranium, copper and silver, to a list of materials the U.S. government considers critical to the U.S. economy and national security (Bloomberg Government, subscription).

What’s going on: “The updated U.S. Geological Survey list also adds metallurgical coal, potash, rhenium, silicon and lead, according to the list posted to the U.S. government site. The list replaces a 2022 version.”

• The announcement of the additions comes just two months after the administration released an NAM-supported draft list of 54 minerals for inclusion on the list.

Why it’s important: The president has made increasing domestic supplies of critical minerals a priority, saying depending on foreign nations for them is a security risk.

• Canada provides most of the U.S. potash supply, and much of the copper used in the U.S. comes from Chile, Canada, Peru and other countries.

Reconcile the lists: A separate list of key minerals, the Department of Energy’s critical materials list, already includes copper.

• The NAM has long urged the DOE and Interior to reconcile the two lists and add multiple materials to the USGS list.

The big picture: “The list dictates what commodities are included in the Trump administration’s Section 232 probe into processed critical minerals and derivative products announced mid-April,” according to Bloomberg.

Our take: “Adding copper and nine other minerals to the USGS critical minerals list is a major win for manufacturers—and for America,” said NAM Director of Energy and Resources Policy Michael Davin. “These minerals are required across sectors, particularly as we work to stay ahead of China when it comes to energy dominance.”