Full Title: A US Framework for Assessing Risk in Critical Mineral Supply Chains
Author(s): Reed Blakemore and Peter Engelke
Publisher(s): Atlantic Council
Publication Date: July 1, 2025
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):
Minerals and metals are foundational to modern technology—from smartphones and solar panels to satellites and semiconductors. Critical minerals include high-volume commodities like nickel and copper, niche elements such as tungsten and indium, and rare earths vital for magnets and alloys. These materials move through complex global supply chains, shaped by private and public-sector actors responding to market forces, profit incentives, and national security concerns.
The United States increasingly relies on these materials but cannot meet all its mineral needs domestically. This dependency creates strategic vulnerabilities, especially as global supply chains are often dominated by China. China controls much of the midstream processing, invests heavily in mining abroad, and owns key transshipment infrastructure. As US-China relations grow more competitive, mineral dependency becomes a critical leverage point.