Trump invokes national security powers to cut U.S. reliance on imported critical minerals

"President Trump's recent directive marks a significant shift in U.S. economic and industrial strategy. By invoking national security concerns over international supply chains, the administration underscores the importance of securing critical materials, particularly for defense and clean energy sectors. The U.S. has considerable raw mineral resources, yet the foreign concentration of processing capacities presents vulnerabilities to coercive trade practices. This policy shift could lead to a more protectionist stance in international relations, impacting markets significantly, especially in mineral-related stocks and the energy sector, potentially causing short-term volatility."