WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Department of Commerce initiated an investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. § 1862) (“Section 232”), to evaluate the effects of processed critical minerals and their derivative products on U.S. national security.

Critical minerals, including rare earth elements, are important production inputs required for both civilian and defense-related applications. However, China currently dominates the global market for processing critical minerals and is the leading producer of 30 out of 44 critical minerals. In addition, China is expanding its influence by acquiring mining concessions and operations around the world.

Through this Section 232 investigation, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is evaluating the foreign sources of processed critical minerals and their derivative products and assessing the associated risks. BIS is also analyzing current and potential U.S. capabilities to process critical minerals and their derivative products. This is an important step in securing America’s mineral future and prioritizing national security.

U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Jeffrey Kessler released the following statement:

“The United States should not allow foreign adversaries to have a chokehold on critical inputs for our economy and defense industrial base.  Under President Trump’s leadership, the Commerce Department will carefully assess the risks posed by external threats and supply chain vulnerabilities.”

Interested parties are invited to submit written comments, data, analyses, or other information pertinent to the investigation to BIS’s Office of Strategic Industries and Economic Security.

All written comments on this request must be filed through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. To submit comments, enter Docket Number BIS-2025-0025 on the home page and click “Search.” The site will provide a search results page listing all documents associated with this docket. Find the reference to this document and click the button entitled “Comment.” The due date for filing comments is May 16, 2025.  

Advancing U.S. national security, foreign policy, and economic objectives by ensuring an effective export control and treaty compliance system and promoting continued U.S. strategic technology leadership.

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