Jim and Ray welcome Critical Minerals Institute Co-chair Melissa Sanderson to explain why allowing China to dominate the critical minerals and rare earths industries creates vulnerabilities for the United States and its allies.

Mel explains how China has come to control the supply chain for materials fundamental to national defense, technological development and economic security, and why it has thrived while other countries have languished in this sector.

Mel explains the steps the United States has taken to secure its critical minerals mining and processing sectors, but also the continuing challenges it faces in competing with China’s price manipulation and industrial policies. She considers the use of tariffs and global partnerships as potential solutions for addressing the problem.

Ultimately, Mel argues that the U.S. must aggressively invest in domestic mining and processing to reduce its reliance on geopolitical adversaries for national security.

Our podcast is produced by IEJ Media, sharing news that matters on statecraft & instruments of national power.

Sponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific.