Trump order targets China-linked military mineral supply chains

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday directing U.S. military contractors to reduce dependence on China-linked critical mineral supply chains, effective January 2027. The order requires defense contractors to identify non-compliant mineral sources and submit mitigation plans to shift away from Beijing-linked materials. China controls roughly two-thirds of global rare earth mining and 90 percent of refining, giving it significant leverage over U.S. defense supply chains.

The executive order, titled "Securing America's Defence Supply Chains and Ensuring Domestic Acquisition of Critical Minerals," comes as the administration emphasizes maintaining U.S. military dominance amid great power competition. Contractors must document efforts to find compliant alternatives or prove none were available, then outline steps to remove non-compliant sources from operations.