Trump Launches $12B Critical Minerals Stockpile to Reduce China Dependence

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (GeokHub) — U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to launch a large-scale strategic stockpile of critical minerals, committing $12 billion in initial funding as Washington moves to reduce reliance on China for materials vital to advanced manufacturing and national security.

The initiative, known internally as Project Vault, will be backed by financing from the U.S. Export-Import Bank and private investors. It is designed to secure supplies of minerals such as lithium, nickel, rare earth elements, and other materials essential for electric vehicles, clean energy systems, and military technology.

Administration officials say the effort is aimed at countering long-standing concerns that China exerts outsized influence over global mineral markets by controlling supply chains and pricing. U.S. policymakers argue that this dominance has hindered domestic mining and left manufacturers vulnerable to price swings and geopolitical pressure.

Under the plan, the Export-Import Bank is expected to provide a long-term loan of up to $10 billion, pending board approval. The funding would allow Project Vault to purchase and store large volumes of minerals, making them available to American automakers, technology firms, and industrial manufacturers when needed.

Commodities trading firms are expected to handle procurement and logistics for the stockpile, while an executive structure will oversee operations. Officials say the program will allow companies to access bulk mineral supplies without carrying the financial risk on their own balance sheets.

The stockpile is also intended to maintain an emergency reserve equivalent to roughly 60 days of supply, providing a buffer against sudden disruptions or market shocks. Officials described the model as similar to a shared purchasing system that leverages scale to stabilize costs.

The announcement has already drawn interest from major U.S. automotive and technology companies, as well as investors in domestic mining. Shares of several U.S.-based rare earth and critical minerals firms moved higher following reports of the initiative.

The move comes amid growing bipartisan support in Congress for mineral stockpiling as a way to strengthen supply chains, stabilize prices, and encourage domestic production and refining.

Analysis: Strategic Shift in Supply Chain Policy

Project Vault signals a significant escalation in U.S. efforts to secure access to materials considered essential for economic competitiveness and defense. Analysts say the initiative reflects a broader strategy to reduce exposure to geopolitical risk while accelerating the reshoring of key industrial inputs.