Trump signs proclamation to address critical minerals security threat

President Donald Trump signed a proclamation Wednesday addressing national security threats posed by imports of processed critical minerals and their derivative products (PCMDPs).

The proclamation follows an October 24, 2025 report from the Secretary of Commerce, which found that PCMDPs are being imported in quantities that threaten U.S. national security.

According to the proclamation, PCMDPs are "indispensable to almost every industry" including defense programs and critical infrastructure. These minerals are essential components in advanced weapons systems, energy infrastructure, and consumer goods.

The Commerce Secretary's investigation revealed that the U.S. is "100 percent net-import reliant" for 12 critical minerals and at least 50 percent reliant on imports for another 29 critical minerals as of 2024.

Even in cases where the U.S. has domestic mining capacity for minerals like cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements, the country lacks sufficient processing capabilities, forcing materials to be exported for refining before being reimported.

The proclamation highlights that this dependency creates significant vulnerabilities for the Department of War, with many defense supply chains relying on suppliers from a single foreign country.

President Trump directed the Secretary of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative to pursue negotiations with trading partners to adjust imports of these critical minerals. The officials are required to provide an update on negotiations within 180 days.

The proclamation mentions that if satisfactory agreements aren't reached, the administration may consider "alternative remedies" including potential tariffs or minimum import prices for specific types of critical minerals.

Trump also ordered the Commerce Secretary to continue monitoring imports of these materials and inform him of any circumstances that might require further presidential action under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.

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