The U.S. government has started a new investigation into something very important but often overlooked: critical minerals. These are special materials like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare-earth metals. You may not hear about them every day, but they’re found in things we use all the time—like electric vehicles, smartphones, and even batteries. More importantly, they’re also used in key parts of military equipment, such as jet engines, missile systems, and advanced computers.
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump signed an order to look deeper into where these minerals come from and how the U.S. gets them. The main concern? Most of these minerals are imported from other countries, especially one that dominates the global market—China. The order doesn’t mention China by name, but it warns that relying too much on other nations for these materials could be dangerous for the United States.
The order says that if something goes wrong with the supply of these minerals—like a long-term disruption or shortage—it could hurt U.S. national security. That means it could make it harder for the country to defend itself or keep its economy strong.
What the Investigation Could Lead To
This investigation is more than just a study—it could lead to big changes in how the U.S. trades with the world. The Department of Commerce now has 180 days (about six months) to complete the probe. When they finish, they’ll give the President a report. That report might include suggestions, and one of those suggestions could be to place new tariffs—special taxes—on these minerals and the products made from them.
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This isn’t the first time President Trump has done something like this. He’s used a special U.S. law from 1962, called Section 232, to investigate whether imports hurt national security. This same law was used to justify putting tariffs on steel, aluminum, cars, and other products. Trump has made it clear that he believes using tariffs can make foreign companies move their factories to the U.S. and bring jobs back.
So far, he’s added tariffs not just on countries the U.S. has tense relations with, but even on allies. The goal, according to the order, is to protect American industries and reduce risks to the country’s defense and economy.
With this new move, Trump may also apply tariffs on things like electric cars, smartphones, and batteries—products that are partly made using these minerals. This could mean higher prices for these items, depending on how the situation develops.
What’s Happening Behind the Scenes
The new probe on critical minerals comes right after two similar investigations. Just one day earlier, Trump ordered a probe into pharmaceutical imports. Before that, he also started one on semiconductors and the machines used to make them. These steps show that he’s putting a lot of focus on industries that are key to both everyday life and national defense.
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In recent weeks, Trump has been switching tariffs on and off quickly. This has caused a lot of confusion in markets, where people trade stocks and other investments. Companies are unsure what to expect next, and that can make it harder for them to make business decisions.
Trump has been using tariffs more than most past presidents. During his first term from 2017 to 2021, he used Section 232 to bring new taxes on imported goods. Now that he’s back in office, he’s doing it again. In March, he reintroduced tariffs of 25% on steel and aluminum, and added tariffs on cars, too.
All of this is part of his broader plan to shake up the way the U.S. does business with the rest of the world. By adding tariffs, he hopes to make it more attractive for companies to build and produce things in America, instead of overseas.
But these actions come with risks. For now, the critical minerals probe is just the latest in a string of steps that could change how things are made, traded, and priced in the U.S. and beyond.
