Trump orders tariff probe on all US critical mineral imports

On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump mandated an investigation into possible new tariffs on all imports of critical minerals, marking a significant intensification of his conflict with international trade partners and an effort to put pressure on industry giant China.

The order exposes what manufacturers, industry experts, scholars, and others have consistently cautioned Washington about: that the U.S. depends too much on Beijing and other sources for processed forms of the minerals that drive its entire economy. China ranks as a leading global producer of 30 out of the 50 minerals deemed critical by the U.S. Geological Survey, for instance, and has been reducing exports in recent months.

Trump issued an order instructing Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to initiate a national security examination under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. This is the identical law Trump applied during his initial term to enforce 25% global tariffs on aluminum and steel, and one he utilized in February to initiate an investigation into possible copper tariffs.

Lutnick must submit his findings to the president within 180 days, which includes a recommendation on tariff imposition. Should Trump subsequently enact a tariff on a country’s essential minerals, the rate would take precedence over the “reciprocal” tariffs Trump established earlier this month, as stated by the White House.

The evaluation will examine U.S. weaknesses in the processing of all essential minerals – comprising cobalt, nickel, the 17 rare earths, and uranium – how international entities might be manipulating markets, and what measures could be implemented to enhance domestic supply and recycling, as stated in the order. The probe could open a chance for certain cooperative supplier countries seeking exemptions, since Washington has earlier indicated possible tariff exclusions for energy and other minerals not sourced domestically.