Trump’s New Executive Order Declares War on U.S. Reliance on Foreign Mineral Production

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President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday aimed at immediately increasing American mineral production, declaring it essential to national security. The order invokes the Defense Production Act, unlocking federal land access and fast-tracking permits for projects involving uranium, copper, potash, gold, and other vital materials.

The action seeks to break U.S. dependence on countries like China, which controls a massive portion of global mining and refining operations. The move also supports the administration's broader strategy to bolster industrial self-reliance and protect supply chains critical to energy, tech, and defense sectors.

The executive order marks a shift from regulatory delay to full-speed authorization. Within 10 days, federal agencies must identify all pending mining projects, with priority ones to be approved or permitted immediately. Trump’s order also waives several red-tape provisions and delegates key spending powers to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the International Development Finance Corporation.

Federal Lands Now Open for Mining Development

A cornerstone of the order is the directive to prioritize mineral production on federal lands. The Department of the Interior has been tasked with compiling a full list of mineral-rich federal sites. Land use plans are being amended to make mining the primary purpose in these zones, signaling a green light for private development.
The order also calls for cooperation among the Departments of Defense, Energy, Agriculture, and Interior to lease federal land quickly to commercial miners. These agencies are instructed to enter long-term agreements with private entities, providing infrastructure support and access to federal loan programs.

Trump’s energy and defense advisors are also preparing a strategy to create a dedicated mineral investment fund. Backed by the Department of Defense and the Development Finance Corporation, this fund will directly support U.S.-based mineral production ventures.

An Opportunity for Strategic Investors

For The Capitalist’s audience, this development is more than just a policy shift—it’s an investment signal. From rare earths to battery-grade lithium, the White House is clearing a path for rapid domestic growth. That means land access, faster permitting, and more capital for American mining companies.
Early movers could benefit most. Investors should watch for junior mining companies with pending permits on federal land or ties to defense-critical minerals. Companies that specialize in refining and processing—not just extraction—stand to gain from the White House’s push for vertical integration of the supply chain.

Watchlist tickers might include firms in the uranium and copper space, as these are considered energy-critical and defense-relevant. Strategic investors may also track small-cap stocks aligned with Department of Energy pilot programs or Department of Defense procurement needs.

Equity isn’t the only angle. The new executive order opens the door for debt financing, equipment leasing, and public-private partnerships. Funds that support hard assets or infrastructure plays linked to mining logistics, transport, or refining could also see a lift.

Geopolitics Fueling Demand for Domestic Control

Trump’s move comes amid growing tensions with China, which has used its dominance over global mineral production as a trade and political weapon. Just last month, Beijing restricted exports of metals like bismuth and molybdenum, which are key to U.S. defense and clean energy projects.
By accelerating domestic output, the White House aims to insulate the U.S. from further disruptions. The executive order also hints at forthcoming deals with allies like Ukraine and possibly the Democratic Republic of Congo to diversify mineral sourcing.

Rich Nolan, president of the National Mining Association, hailed the order as a long-overdue correction. He called domestic mining a “national security imperative” and praised the administration for aligning permitting, finance, and defense procurement under a single strategic goal.

For American investors, that alignment means the market is about to become more favorable to domestic mineral production than at any time in recent decades.

Do you see Trump’s mineral production order as a turning point for U.S. mining and investment? Tell us what you think!

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