U.S. Still Heavily Import-Reliant for Minerals—Permitting Reform Can Break the Cycle

U.S. Still Heavily Import-Reliant for Minerals—Permitting Reform Can Break the Cycle

The Trump administration made significant progress on strengthening U.S. mineral supply chains in 2025. But the recently released Minerals Commodity Summaries 2026 report by the United States Geologic Survey (USGS) shows just how difficult it will be to reverse longstanding, increasing import reliance trends: data shows that, in 2025, the United States continued to grow more import-reliant for minerals.

While focus by the Trump administration on mineral security is nothing short of historic, long-term progress cannot happen overnight, and the only way to make significant strides in reducing U.S. mineral import reliance is by passing meaningful permitting reform legislation.

“Quick action by the administration has been key in jumpstarting domestic mining efforts but we need Congress to act on permitting reform to create the kind of lasting certainty that mining companies need in order to make long-term investments in US projects.”

    – Rich Nolan, NMA President and CEO

Onshoring Mineral Production is Key to Unleashing America’s Mineral Dominance

While China continues to dominate the global minerals market, the United States is falling behind. In 2024, the United States was 100% dependent on imports for 15 non-fuel commodities and 50 percent or more reliant on imports for 46 minerals. In 2025, the gap widened to 100 percent reliance on imports for 16 non-fuel commodities and 50 percent or more reliant on imports for 54 minerals.

This isn’t just an economic problem – this is a national security threat. China’s mineral dominance gives it the ability to control our mineral supply chains, and it has already begun using that leverage restricting our access to key minerals needed for our national defense several times in just the last year. In late 2024, China banned exports of antimony, gallium and germanium to the United States in retaliation for chip restrictions. In 2025, it tightened those restrictions further.

While America has been paralyzed by regulatory dysfunction, China has weaponized global minerals supply chains. Military modernization, advanced energy, semiconductor and AI industries, and our global manufacturing competitiveness all hinge on access to minerals that flow through China-controlled supply chains, leaving us dangerously vulnerable.

As China tightens its grip on global mineral supply chains and geopolitical tensions rise, the risks continue to grow. Every day of delay strengthens our adversaries’ advantages and deepens our vulnerability.

Congress Must Take Action and Pass Meaningful Permitting Reform Legislation

2026 will determine whether the United States slides deeper into its import reliance or breaks through to unleash a new era of American mineral dominance. We have the resources; what we need now is Senate action to clear the path for American mining companies. Passing meaningful legislation like the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act and the SPEED Act will enable responsible mining operations to proceed efficiently – unlocking our vast domestic resources and supporting the industries that underpin our national security, energy and manufacturing sectors.

“We have an administration and Congress that have united around the need to de-risk our supply chains and reshore minerals production and processing, but it still takes an average of 29 years to bring a mine online in the US.”

    – Rich Nolan, NMA President and CEO