For decades, while China strategically secured minerals worldwide, the United States rarely used foreign policy to obtain the resources it needed. However, under President Donald Trump, this approach has shifted dramatically. Within the first 40 days of his term, Trump expressed interest in acquiring Greenland for its rare earths, annexing Canada for its uranium and copper reserves, and securing control over Ukraine’s rare earths and titanium in exchange for continued U.S. support.
The fate of the Ukraine minerals deal remains uncertain following a heated exchange between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. While Zelensky insists he is ready to sign the agreement, Trump has expressed doubts about its viability. Regardless of the outcome, experts argue that integrating mineral diplomacy into U.S. foreign policy is essential for national security. However, without significant government investment and diplomatic efforts—mirroring China’s approach—this initiative may fall short.
The U.S. holds less than 2% of global reserves for rare earths, graphite, cobalt, and nickel, making collaboration with resource-rich nations critical. In contrast, China has strategically positioned itself as a global leader in mineral processing, importing vast quantities of raw materials to dominate industries like electric vehicle manufacturing.
The draft agreement with Ukraine proposes a joint fund to manage revenue from Ukraine’s natural resources. However, the lack of modern geological data on Ukraine’s mineral deposits raises questions about the economic viability of these resources. Developing a mine and separation plant could cost between 500millionand500millionand1 billion, a risky investment without up-to-date surveys.
To succeed, the U.S. must increase funding for geological mapping, invest in infrastructure in mineral-rich regions, and provide financial support to mitigate risks for private mining companies. Without these steps, the U.S. risks falling further behind China in the global race for mineral security.
