President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday that seeks to bolster production of critical minerals in the United States.
According to The Hill, the order also confirmed that a deal between the U.S. and Ukraine to gain access to the European nation’s mineral reserves was on track.
A White House spokesperson said the deal is meant to streamline the permitting process to allow more mining and reportedly happened behind closed doors.
The Hill further reported that another White House official claimed the order invokes wartime powers under the Defense Production Act to increase mining production in the U.S.
During Trump’s signing of an executive order that dismantled the Department of Education, Trump said his administration is looking into various agreements to secure rare earths.
“It’s a big thing in this country. And as you know we’re also signing agreements in various locations to unlock rare earths and minerals and lots of other things all over the world. But in particular Ukraine,” Trump said. “One of the things we are doing is signing a deal very shortly with Ukraine with respect to rare earth.”
The Interior Department has been directed to prioritize mining over other uses on federal land, as well as developing financing methods and creating a fund through the United States International Development Finance Corporation
In the executive order, it states that what the U.S. currently has in mineral resources would create jobs, reduce reliance on foreign nations, and be used in many other ways including transportation, and defense.
“The United States possesses vast mineral resources that can create jobs, fuel prosperity, and significantly reduce our reliance on foreign nations,” the order reads. “Transportation, infrastructure, defense capabilities, and the next generation of technology rely upon a secure, predictable, and affordable supply of minerals.”
It goes on to note that federal regulation has hurt the U.S. production, and this threatens economic security.
“The United States was once the world’s largest producer of lucrative minerals, but overbearing Federal regulation has eroded our Nation’s mineral production,” the order reads. “Our national and economic security are now acutely threatened by our reliance upon hostile foreign powers’ mineral production. It is imperative for our national security that the United States take immediate action to facilitate domestic mineral production to the maximum possible extent.”
