By the constitutional powers entrusted to me as President of the United States, and in accordance with the provisions of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, I hereby declare:
Section 1. Policy. A resilient national defense hinges not only on military might but also on a stable economy, price consistency, a vigorous manufacturing sector, and secure domestic supply chains. Among the essential components of this framework are critical minerals, particularly rare earth elements, which serve as vital raw materials and production inputs crucial for both our economic and national security.
However, the landscape for processed critical minerals and their derivative products is fraught with vulnerabilities stemming from global supply chain dependencies and market distortions, primarily due to a limited number of foreign suppliers. This reliance has resulted in a troubling level of import dependency for the United States. Such dependencies threaten our national security, defense readiness, price stability, and overall economic resilience.
Processed critical minerals and their derivatives are indispensable for ensuring economic stability and fostering innovation, as they lay the groundwork for key industries and critical infrastructure that support the modern American economy. They are foundational to sectors such as transportation, energy, telecommunications, and advanced manufacturing, all of which are intimately linked to our national security.
These minerals are equally crucial for military purposes. They underpin military infrastructure, energy frameworks, and advanced defense technologies—integral components for applications ranging from jet engines to missile guidance systems, and from advanced computing to secure communication networks.
Despite this, the United States continues to depend on foreign sources for processed critical minerals. Many of these suppliers are susceptible to long-term supply chain disruptions, which could jeopardize our commercial and defense manufacturing capabilities, leading to significant shortages and an inability to meet domestic demand.
The risks associated with this dependency are manifold. Firstly, global supply chains are vulnerable to disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions, natural disasters, pandemics, and trade disputes.
Secondly, major foreign producers of processed critical minerals have been known to engage in price manipulation, excessive production, arbitrary export limitations, and exploitation of their dominant position in the supply chain. Such practices not only distort global markets but also grant these countries geopolitical and economic leverage over the United States and other nations reliant on these materials for their economic and defense needs. Consequently, the United States’ dependency on imports of processed critical minerals poses a significant national security risk.
Thirdly, the implications of our reliance on foreign sources extend to derivative products that are essential for both our economy and national security.
To sustain the manufacturing of derivative products, the United States must ensure access to an affordable, resilient, and sustainable supply of processed critical minerals. Simultaneously, a robust manufacturing base for these products is vital to establish a stable demand for critical minerals. The coexistence of both elements is crucial for guaranteeing economic stability and safeguarding national security.
Lastly, an overreliance on a narrow geographic range for these materials exacerbates the risks posed by geopolitical instability and regional disruptions.
Given these risks and realities, it is imperative to undertake an investigation under Section 232 of the Act to assess whether the imports of processed critical minerals and their derivative products threaten to undermine national security.
Sec. 2. Definitions. For the purposes of this order:
(a) “Critical minerals” refers to those minerals listed in the “Critical Minerals List” published by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) per Section 7002(c) of the Energy Act of 2020, or any subsequent lists, including uranium.
(b) “Rare earth elements” encompasses the 17 elements identified by the Department of Energy (DOE) in their April 2020 report on “Critical Materials Rare Earths Supply Chain,” along with any additional elements deemed to be rare earth elements by the USGS or DOE in future publications.
(c) “Processed critical minerals” denotes those minerals that have been refined from ore through various processes, culminating in their conversion to metals, metal powders, or master alloys.
(d) “Derivative products” includes all goods that utilize processed critical minerals in their production, ranging from semi-finished goods like semiconductor wafers to final products such as electric vehicles and advanced optical devices.
Sec. 3. Section 232 Investigation. (a) The Secretary of Commerce shall initiate an investigation under Section 232 to evaluate the impact of imports of processed critical minerals and their derivative products on national security.
(b) In conducting the investigation, the Secretary shall analyze the factors outlined in 19 U.S.C. 1862(d) regarding the domestic production necessary for national defense and the influence of foreign competition on the economic well-being of domestic industries, alongside other relevant factors, including:
(i) Identification of all processed critical mineral imports and derivative products.
(ii) Analysis of foreign sources of processed critical minerals and derivative products, including associated risks.
(iii) Examination of the effects of price manipulation and market distortion by foreign producers on domestic investments and production viability.
(iv) Assessment of the demand for processed critical minerals from both domestic and global manufacturers.
(v) Review of global supply chains for these minerals and products.
(vi) Evaluation of the current and potential capabilities of the United States to process these critical minerals.
(vii) Analysis of the dollar value of current processed critical mineral and derivative product imports by country.
(c) The Secretary of Commerce shall proceed promptly with the investigation as follows:
(i) Within 90 days of this order, a draft interim report will be submitted for internal review to key economic and defense officials.
(ii) Comments on the draft report will be solicited within 15 days of submission.
(iii) A final report and recommendations will be submitted to the President within 180 days of the investigation’s initiation.
(d) In making recommendations regarding actions under Section 232(b), the Secretary of Commerce will consider:
(i) The potential for tariffs and import restrictions.
(ii) Safeguards to prevent circumvention of these measures.
(iii) Policies to promote domestic production, processing, and recycling.
(iv) Any additional measures needed to mitigate national security risks under the authority of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) This order does not impair existing authorities or functions of executive departments or the Office of Management and Budget.
(b) Implementation of this order will adhere to applicable laws and available appropriations.
(c) This order does not confer any enforceable rights or benefits against the United States or its entities.
                DONALD J. TRUMP
THE WHITE HOUSE
 April 15, 2025.
