The future of America’s economic and political security heavily depends on securing a stable supply of strategic minerals. These minerals are crucial for modern technologies, including smartphones, jet engines, and wind turbines. According to the World Economic Forum, strategic minerals are poised to become the “new oil” of the 21st century. The International Energy Agency predicts that demand for these minerals in the energy sector alone could triple by 2030.
Currently, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) dominates this critical sector, controlling 60% of global productionand 85% of processing capacity. This dominance poses a significant risk to future U.S. access to these essential resources. To mitigate this risk, the United States is exploring the potential of Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Ukraineas sources for strategic minerals. These regions are rich in largely unexploited natural resources that could be key to reducing reliance on China.
An aggressive pursuit of these resources could provide the United States with a secure supply of strategic minerals. Additionally, it would offer the broader Caspian region and Ukraine an opportunity for greater global market integration and economic sovereignty. By participating more meaningfully in the global strategic mineral supply chain, these regions could reduce their own dependence on Russia and China, thereby enhancing regional stability and economic growth.
