Critical Minerals

Critical minerals have been called the oil of the twenty-first century and are crucial in cutting-edge defense and AI technologies. CSIS is spearheading research on how critical minerals and their supply chains can impact global economies, technology competition, and national security.

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Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

What’s in the New U.S.-Saudi Minerals Agreement?

The U.S.-Saudi minerals partnership marks a realignment in global supply chains—pairing Saudi Arabia’s vast heavy rare earth reserves with significant U.S. investment to build a mine-to-magnet pathway that directly reduces China’s leverage and strengthens allied security.

Critical Questions by Gracelin Baskaran — November 19, 2025

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Jerry McGinn

Jerry McGinn

Director, Center for the Industrial Base and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department

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Building a New Market to Counter Chinese Mineral Market Manipulation

China is manipulating global mineral markets by oversupplying and depressing prices. To counter China, the United States and allies should form an “anchor market” to harmonize tariffs, mandate sourcing quotas, and restrict Chinese acquisitions of strategic mineral assets.

Commentary by Gracelin Baskaran — June 12, 2025

Trump Strikes a Deal to Restore Rare Earths Access

President Trump announced an agreement with China to resume exports of rare earth minerals and magnets, following two months of supply disruptions to U.S. industry. China's chokehold on rare earth supply chains and resulting leverage necessitates investment into alternative supply.

Critical Questions by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — June 11, 2025

What’s Missing from the U.S. Debate on Electric Vehicles

Proposed policies by Congress and the administration aimed at slowing the EV industry would have negative implications for innovation in the United States and the development of local EV value chains.

Commentary by Ilaria Mazzocco — May 29, 2025

The Truth of the Matter

Trump’s Middle East Minerals Deal

Gracelin Baskaran, director of the CSIS Critical Minerals Security Program, joins the podcast to discuss potential minerals deals with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar during President Trump’s trip to the Middle East.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Gracelin Baskaran — May 14, 2025

CSIS the truth of the matter

The Geostrategic Importance of Alaska to the U.S.-Japan Alliance

Alaska’s geostrategic importance to the U.S.-Japan alliance is growing. Japan Chair Adjunct Fellow Shoichi Itoh analyzes how Alaska supports the economic security of both countries against the backdrop of great power rivalry.

Commentary by Shoichi Itoh — May 12, 2025

Underexplored and Undervalued: Addressing Africa’s Mineral Exploration Gap

Africa is a resource-rich continent, yet its share of global exploration spending has dropped by over a third since 2004—highlighting a mismatch between geological potential and actual investment. Exploration incentives should be a central pillar of minerals diplomacy.

Commentary by Gracelin Baskaran — May 9, 2025

G7 Cooperation to De-Risk Minerals Investments in the Global South

The G7 must act decisively on critical minerals security at this year’s summit. Establishing a dedicated G7 investment fund could unlock high-priority projects, de-risk investments, and catalyze private capital—strengthening supply chains and reducing key vulnerabilities.

Commentary by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — May 7, 2025