US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sounded the alarm Wednesday on the global supply chain for essential minerals, which he described as dangerously reliant on one dominant player—China—posing severe geopolitical threats. As Washington kicks off a diversification drive with 55 partner nations, Rubio framed the move as vital to protecting economic stability, tech advancements, and defense capabilities.
At the launch of the Critical Minerals Ministerial, Rubio told reporters the effort targets weaknesses that could cripple progress. With India’s S. Jaishankar in attendance, he outlined a simple objective: collaborative sourcing to reduce single-point failures.
Rubio lambasted historical neglect by Western leaders who prioritized sleek designs over supply realities. Supply chains today are overly centralized, he argued, vulnerable to exploitation as a geopolitical tool or disruption from crises like COVID-19 or unrest.
Rich deposits exist worldwide, but unfair practices—state-backed dumping—stifle development elsewhere. Private investors shy away, knowing subsidized rivals can flood markets at a loss to seize control. The fallout? Monopolistic pricing, coercive leverage, and fragility to global events. Rubio called this untenable.
America is charting the path forward with streamlined permitting, strategic reserves under President Trump, and the new FORGE initiative drawing quick international buy-in. Financing from key US institutions will fuel projects, capped by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s remarks.
Historic signings of minerals frameworks are slated for later, backed by billions in US commitments. Rubio also updated on Ukraine-Russia technical talks in a US forum—the first in ages—with fewer sticking points remaining, albeit the hardest ones.
Ukraine’s rebuild will demand its mineral wealth, Rubio noted. On Iran, he signaled openness to Trump-led negotiations but only if they tackle core issues: missiles, terror support, nukes, and human rights abuses.
Spotlighting allies like Argentina and Morocco, Rubio stressed collective action: ‘No country has every critical mineral it needs.’ This multinational push promises a more resilient global order.