Trump Issues 180-Day Deadline to Break China’s Critical Mineral Chokehold
President Trump has set a 180-day deadline for global suppliers to diversify critical mineral supply chains away from China or face new US trade barriers by July 2026.
The clock is ticking for global mineral suppliers. President Donald Trump just put allies and trade partners on notice, invoking national security powers to ease China's dominance over critical minerals. According to a proclamation signed on Wednesday, global suppliers have exactly 180 days to negotiate new deals or face massive trade hurdles.
Trump 180-day deadline China critical minerals 2026: Negotiate or Face Tariffs
The "America First" administration's latest move targets the US reliance on foreign-processed minerals, which it deems a national security threat. USTR Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick have been directed to "adjust imports" of these materials. If binding agreements aren't secured by July 13, 2026, the president's authorized to bypass further reviews and slap on high tariffs or quotas.
A Strategic Shift in Supply Chains
The proclamation doesn't explicitly name China as a banned source, but it emphasizes moving away from "coercive sources." To stay in Washington's good graces, partners must commit to diversifying supply chains. The US' plan includes:
- Boosting allied processing capacity to reduce reliance on adversarial nations.
- Investing in non-Chinese facilities and securing long-term offtake agreements.
- Using trade tools like price floors to counter market volatility.
The US' reliance on foreign-processed critical minerals poses a national security threat that requires immediate remedial measures.
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