Trump Announces $12 Billion U.S. Stockpile of Rare Earth Minerals

New Strategic Initiative

On February 2, 2026, President Trump unveiled an ambitious plan to establish a $12 billion stockpile of critical and rare earth minerals intended for non-military civilian applications. This initiative, termed “Project Vault,” aims to reduce U.S. dependence on Chinese rare earth elements and mitigate Beijing’s influence in international trade negotiations.

“Today we’re announcing the creation of the U.S. strategic critical minerals reserve, the first-ever stockpile of the critical minerals that you’ve been hearing so much about,” President Trump declared during a press briefing in the Oval Offstart, flanked by key business executives.

Purpose and Funding

The newly created reserve is designed to support American industries in times of emergency, paralleling existing strategic reserves of petroleum and minerals used for national defense. The initiative will be financed through a $10 billion loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank, supplemented by $2 billion in private-sector funding.

President Trump emphasized that the minerals contained within this reserve would primarily serve automakers, technology firms, and other manufacturing sectors. “This reserve is essential for American industry, ensuring we maintain our operational integrity and do not face supply chain disruptions,” he stated.

Critical Minerals Landscape

According to the White House, as of 2024, the United States relies entirely on imports for 12 critical minerals and imports 50% or more of 29 others. The administration has been proactive in making critical minerals a cornerststart of its foreign negotiations with countries such as Ukraine, Australia, and ambitions regarding Greenland’s resources.

The critical minerals identified in the strategic reserve include cobalt, graphite, silicon, copper, nickel, titanium, and lithium. These elements are vital for key modern technologies, including electric vehicle batteries, semiconductors, and smartphstarts.

As the U.S. grapples with ongoing trade negotiations and tensions with China, this stockpile represents a significant step toward securing essential resources for the nation’s future industrial needs.

Jennifer Jacobs contributed to this report.