Critical Minerals Security Program

The Critical Minerals Security Program is a groundbreaking initiative providing leadership as the United States races to build the resilient minerals supply chains needed for national, economic, and energy security.

The United States cannot maintain its position as a national security and energy leader without reducing reliance on foreign adversaries for key critical minerals. This will require a new approach–one that is market-led, environmentally and socially responsible, builds capacity in both production and processing, and works with allies while also forging new geopolitical alliances with resource-rich Global South countries. The Critical Minerals Security Program will build upon CSIS’s longstanding work with policymakers on both sides of the aisle to support market-led efforts to expand production, processing, and recycling capacities to improve domestic and global security. With a new paradigm, the United States can enable its diplomats, policymakers, and private sector actors to develop a secure supply chain and meet the mineral needs of the 21st century.

This program is made possible through general support to CSIS and the CSIS Critical Minerals Security Program.

 

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The Copper Initiative

The Copper Initiative brings together independent analysis, dynamic events, and productive dialogues between government officials, private industry, and subject-matter experts to create policy solutions to meet future copper demand for national security, economic competitiveness and energy resilience

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The Truth of the Matter

China’s Halt of Critical Minerals

CSIS’s Gracelin Baskaran joins the podcast to discuss China’s halt of critical minerals to the United States. In addition to consumer products, the Pentagon and defense contractors are heavily reliant on magnets and rare earth minerals mined or processed in China. Baskaran discusses the impact of this decision and more.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Gracelin Baskaran — April 15, 2025

CSIS the truth of the matter
Audio Briefs

The Consequences of China’s New Rare Earths Export Restrictions

An audio version of “The Consequences of China’s New Rare Earths Export Restrictions,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS's Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — April 15, 2025

Audio Briefs

The Consequences of China’s New Rare Earths Export Restrictions

China has imposed export restrictions on seven rare earth elements and magnets in retaliation for new U.S. tariffs. These materials are vital to defense technologies, but the United States is entirely dependent on China for their supply.

Critical Questions by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — April 14, 2025

Reviving Cobre Panamá Could Be Strategic to U.S. Minerals Security

The shutdown of Cobre Panamá —one of the world's largest copper mines—amid political upheaval has disrupted global copper supply and hurt Panama's economy. U.S. diplomatic support to negotiations could help revive the mine and secure a stable, allied copper supply chain.

Commentary by Gracelin Baskaran and Paula Reynal — April 8, 2025

Audio Briefs

Reviving Cobre Panamá Could Be Strategic to U.S. Minerals Security

An audio version of “Reviving Cobre Panamá Could Be Strategic to U.S. Minerals Security,” a new commentary by CSIS's Gracelin Baskaran and Paula Reynal. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Gracelin Baskaran and Paula Reynal — April 8, 2025

Audio Briefs

Unpacking Trump’s New Critical Minerals Executive Order

President Trump signed an EO to accelerate domestic minerals production for national security. The EO sets swift timelines to expedite permitting, deploy Defense Production Act funds through the Development Finance Corporation (DFC), and identify priority projects.

Critical Questions by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — March 21, 2025

Audio Briefs

Unpacking Trump’s New Critical Minerals Executive Order

An audio version of “Unpacking Trump’s New Critical Minerals Executive Order,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS's Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — March 21, 2025

Audio Briefs