The Trump administration is aggressively pursuing equity stakes in rare earth mining and chipmaking firms to bolster U.S. supply chains for critical minerals essential to EVs, defense, and tech. This shift from traditional grants to direct ownership aims to counter China’s dominance in rare earths, with the Department of Defense poised to become a major shareholder in key players.
MP Materials (MP.N), operator of the only U.S. rare earth mine at Mountain Pass, California, has secured about a 15% stake from the government, marking Washington’s largest critical minerals investment yet. Additionally, The company focuses on expanding domestic processing and magnet production to support national security needs.
Furthermore, Critical Metals (CRML.O) is in discussions for an approximately 8% stake tied to its Tanbreez project in Greenland, the largest rare earth deposit there—reviving interest in a region Trump once eyed for U.S. acquisition. USA Rare Earth (USAR.O) is also negotiating with the White House for its Texas mining and Oklahoma magnet facility, set to launch in 2026.
This industrial policy extends to semiconductors, with talks of stakes in Intel and repurposing CHIPS Act funds for minerals, signaling a bold U.S. pivot toward self-reliance. Private sector backing, like Apple’s $500M in MP Materials, amplifies the push amid China’s export controls.
