Vault Secured: Time to Dig Deep

This article originally appeared in RealClearEnergy on March 3, 2026.

When a geopolitical rival like China can restrict access to inputs that make American fighter jets, smartphones, and the AI boom possible, it becomes a national security crisis, not just a trade issue. The Trump administration’s new “Project Vault” deserves credit for recognizing this reality and treating critical minerals like strategic supplies to be secured before a crisis, not after.

The administration’s initiative, which will stockpile essential materials for high-tech batteries, advanced software, and cutting-edge sensors, is a first, defensive step to bandage a wound that Washington has allowed to fester for decades—our atrophied mining and refining capabilities. As President Trump and his team have long emphasized, a nation that cannot source the foundational materials for its own economy and defense is not truly sovereign. China currently supplies about 71% of our rare earth imports and dominates the global refining capacity, with a roughly 92% share. Over the past year, despite a temporary trade truce, China has tightened supplies even further.

To truly secure our prosperity and freedom, the next step is to unleash the power of American industry by mining and refining these minerals at home.

Read full op-ed in RealClearEnergy.