Trump To Add New Tariff

President Trump on Tuesday signed a new executive order that instructs the Commerce Department to begin a national security investigation into imports of processed critical minerals—setting the stage for possible tariffs on yet another key sector. This move continues the administration’s pattern of using trade tools to pressure foreign suppliers while promoting domestic production.

The investigation, authorized under Section 232 of U.S. trade law, will assess whether America’s reliance on foreign sources for critical minerals poses a risk to national security. According to the order, the growing dependence on imports for these essential materials creates vulnerabilities that could impact defense preparedness, economic stability, and long-term resilience.

The executive order argues that this reliance on other countries, particularly for minerals used in everything from electronics to military equipment, leaves the United States exposed during times of crisis or geopolitical tension. The administration claims that supply disruptions could endanger the country’s ability to manufacture necessary goods or maintain national defense readiness.

Critical minerals and rare earth elements—many of which are concentrated in specific regions like China or Africa—are used in applications such as electric vehicle batteries, advanced medical equipment, and missile guidance systems. Because they occur in limited quantities and often require complex extraction and refining, they are difficult to substitute or produce domestically without major investment.

In a related move just weeks earlier, Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to boost domestic mining, signaling the administration’s interest in reducing reliance on foreign suppliers. According to a White House official, that order was aimed at streamlining federal support and accelerating permitting for new mining projects within U.S. borders.

This week’s order mirrors similar actions taken Monday, when Trump launched national security reviews into the pharmaceutical and semiconductor industries—two other sectors that could soon see new import taxes as part of his broader trade strategy.

As the administration continues to expand its use of Section 232 investigations, industries that depend on complex global supply chains are bracing for the possibility of sweeping new tariffs, which could increase production costs and fuel tensions with international trading partners.