In April, China restricted exports of crucial rare earth elements and magnets, which are used in everything from fighter jets and submarines to missile systems and drones.

President Donald Trump rightly drew a sharp line on China’s aggressive moves, issuing an executive order designed to boost production of critical minerals here in the United States. However, policymakers must do more to break America’s dependence on China for these materials essential to our national security and economic future.

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Today, China controls roughly 85% of global capacity for processing these materials, effectively monopolizing the supply chain. Even more alarming, China accounts for approximately 99% of the processing of heavy rare earth elements — the very materials most essential to advanced defense technologies.

To put this dependency into perspective, a single F-35 fighter jet relies on nearly 900 pounds of these rare earth elements, while a Virginia-class submarine requires 10 times that amount. We have only limited reserves scattered across our defense industries, so China’s dominance doesn’t merely put our economic well-being at risk — it directly threatens America’s military readiness and technological superiority.

A recently announced deal between the United States and China temporarily addresses part of the problem. Under the agreement, China will grant a six-month reprieve, allowing exports of certain rare earth elements to resume, though notably, the deal excludes those with direct military applications. While this move may provide modest relief for certain manufacturers, it does little to address America’s underlying vulnerability.

Relying on China for critical minerals is a short-sighted position in an increasingly volatile global landscape. With Beijing tightening its grip, we can’t afford to rely solely on reactive measures. Our manufacturers and innovators deserve a clear strategy to reduce dependencies on America’s leading adversary and secure our critical supply chains.

Congress needs to immediately consider an aggressive, multi-pronged strategy that prioritizes securing supply chains, identifying vulnerabilities, and rapidly diversifying our partnerships. This begins with getting the basics right — mapping exactly where these critical minerals exist beyond China’s control. My Finding ORE Act would achieve this, creating cooperative agreements to map critical minerals in friendly countries, ensuring American and allied businesses get priority on resources vital to our future.

Armed with accurate information, we can then properly assess threats and domestic resilience. The Critical Minerals Security Act would provide this strategic intelligence and preparedness, highlighting where our adversaries have undue influence and outlining clear steps to strengthen domestic production and recycling efforts.

Finally, with this intelligence and readiness in hand, my STRATEGIC Minerals Act would empower the president to go on offense and negotiate focused, sector-specific trade agreements where mineral needs cannot be met domestically. These tailored agreements would lock in preferential access to critical minerals from trusted and reliable partners, effectively insulating American industry from geopolitical shocks and economic coercion.

We must also acknowledge the reality that rebuilding America’s domestic mining and processing capabilities won’t happen overnight. But rather than allowing that challenge to paralyze our response, these measures would provide long-term relief and stability. In tandem with working with our allies, we must streamline permitting and cut through the regulatory red tape that has impeded our domestic projects, enabling us to reinforce our capacity here at home.

The Trump administration has correctly identified our dangerous dependence on China. Now, we need Congress to build off this momentum and quickly pursue a cohesive, actionable plan. 

NATURAL RESOURCES AT HOME ARE KEY TO CONTINUED AMERICAN PROSPERITY

Temporary reprieves are no substitute for a sound long-term strategy. A six-month window is not a solution; it’s an opportunity for Congress to act.

China isn’t pausing to weigh its next moves, and neither should we. It is time to secure our future by decisively reducing risk and clearly defining America’s path to independence and security in critical minerals.

Todd Young represents Indiana in the United States Senate.