Mining the Future: America's Critical Minerals Challenge

Paramita Das, Alaina Harkness, and Karl Friedhoff discuss the strategic challenges facing the US as it tries to secure critical mineral supply chains while balancing competing policy priorities. Critical minerals and rare earth elements are essential to America's clean energy transition and advanced defense technologies. Yet, the United States remains heavily dependent on Chinese imports with minimal domestic mining or processing capacity. How is the Trump administration approaching this issue? Can the United States reduce its reliance on foreign suppliers while simultaneously pursuing policies that may decrease demand for these materials? And what are the consequences of getting this strategy wrong? Join us for a conversation with Paramita Das, Alaina Harkness, and Karl Friedhoff as they examine America's approach to critical mineral independence and its implications.