Source: Niskanen Center
by Owen Tritt
“In April, China halted exports of seven rare earth metals, reportedly in retaliation to Trump’s tariffs. The move triggered global shortages, underscoring the geopolitical leverage China derives from its dominance in critical minerals. Despite growing awareness of this vulnerability, the United States remains heavily reliant on Chinese extraction and refining. Building a resilient domestic supply chain will require more than infrastructure — it demands a skilled workforce across the entire critical minerals sector: mining, refining, and research. We need experts to locate deposits, design and operate mines, improve refining processes, and drive innovation that positions the U.S. competitively in this global market. Developing that talent pipeline will take years; in the meantime, the U.S. must draw on foreign expertise to fill urgent gaps.” (08/14/25)
https://www.niskanencenter.org/building-a-domestic-critical-mineral-workforce-through-immigration/