The Trump administration reportedly is on a global shopping spree to secure critical minerals for jet fighters, tanks, and cutting-edge ammunition.
The aggressive push reflects President Donald Trump's strategy to reduce America's dependence on China for the rare earth elements and other critical minerals essential to national defense, advanced manufacturing, and emerging technologies.
The United States has dramatically outpaced Europe in investing in alternative mineral supply chains, committing roughly $46 billion over the past five years to projects aimed at breaking Beijing's grip on critical raw materials, The Wall Street Journal reported.
American companies are acquiring foreign producers, financing overseas mining operations, and locking up long-term supply agreements while European allies struggle to compete.
China dominates much of the world's processing of rare earths and other strategic minerals used in fighter aircraft, missiles, radar systems, semiconductors, and electric vehicle batteries.
Beijing tightened exports of rare-earth magnets last year during its trade dispute with Washington, intensifying Western efforts to diversify supply.
The administration has also expanded cooperation with allies.
In May, the United States and India signed a strategic agreement to strengthen supply chains for critical minerals and rare earths used in semiconductors, defense systems, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing, The Economic Times reported.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the agreement another example of the growing U.S.-India strategic partnership and said both nations share an interest in preventing critical materials from becoming leverage for geopolitical rivals.
At home, the Trump administration is investing directly in domestic production.
The Department of War this week announced a $25 million investment in ReElement Technologies to expand rare-earth refining capacity in Marion, Indiana.
Officials said the project will increase domestic production of materials needed for advanced defense systems, aerospace components, and secure communications.
"Strengthening our domestic refining capacity for rare earth elements and other critical minerals is a national security imperative," Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy Michael Cadenazzi said.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Army last month conditionally awarded long-term leases to four companies to build critical mineral processing facilities on Army installations in Alabama, Arkansas, Texas, and Utah.
The projects will process graphite, lithium, boron, dysprosium, and terbium — materials vital for missiles, munitions, batteries, radar systems, and armored vehicles.
Army officials said the initiative advances Trump's executive order aimed at rebuilding a secure domestic supply chain while reducing reliance on foreign adversaries.
The administration's strategy comes as European officials warn Washington's aggressive buying campaign could leave allies scrambling for non-Chinese supplies.
Nevertheless, U.S. officials argue expanding global production outside China ultimately strengthens the entire Western alliance while ensuring America maintains the industrial capacity needed for military readiness in an increasingly dangerous world.