U.S. Lawmakers Introduce $2.5 Billion Critical Minerals Reserve to Strengthen Supply Chain and Counter China

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has unveiled legislation that would establish a $2.5 billion Strategic Resilience Reserve to stockpile critical minerals essential for advanced technologies, electric vehicles, renewable energy and national defense. The proposed initiative responds to growing concerns about supply chain vulnerabilities and the dominance of China in the global critical minerals market.

The bill would create the Strategic Resilience Reserve, overseen by a seven-member board modelled on the Federal Reserve’s governance structure. The board would be responsible for acquiring, storing and selling key materials such as lithium, nickel and rare earth elements, with the aim of stabilizing volatile prices and boosting domestic mining and refining capacity. Both recycled materials and minerals extracted from U.S. mines would be eligible for stockpiling.

Supporters of the proposal argue that China’s heavy influence on critical mineral production, pricing and export policies has hindered American supply chains and left U.S. manufacturers and defense sectors exposed to foreign supply disruptions. By building a strategic reserve and potentially establishing a Western price benchmark for these materials, the legislation seeks to reduce dependency on foreign sources and reinforce economic and national security.

The bill, introduced jointly by lawmakers from both parties, must be approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate and signed by the President to become law. If passed, it could mark a significant step in reshaping the United States’ approach to securing essential mineral supplies amid escalating global competition.