MP Materials Corp. (NYSE: MP) stopped shipping rare earth concentrate to China in response to China’s retaliatory tariffs and export controls.
The company said on Thursday that it went ahead with this decision because selling its critical materials under 125 per cent tariffs isn’t exactly commercially rational, or does it align with America’s national interest.
The team said it has prepared for this moment since day one. Its mission, capital strategy, and execution reflect a long-term vision designed to withstand short-term disruptions and emerge stronger.
Part of that mission involves restoring the full rare earth supply chain in the United States. To accomplish this, the company invested nearly USD$1 billion to restore the full rare earth supply chain in the United States.
The company processes nearly half of its production at its California refinery and sells virtually all of that material to markets outside China, including Japan, South Korea, and the United States.
MP continues to produce and stockpile concentrate while accelerating downstream operations across the supply chain. The company is also ramping oxide production, fast-tracking heavy rare earth separation, and launching magnet production in Texas. Furthermore, manufacturers in critical industries have recently reached out, urgently seeking a secure, resilient source of materials and magnets.
The company is also uniquely positioned to meet that demand with a reliable domestic supply. It also remains in close contact with federal leaders and welcomes their commitment to American industry.
MP, along with its customers, and U.S. partners are accelerating every phase of its reindustrialization strategy. This strategy is part of its overall effort towards building the rare earth supply chain entirely on American soil.
Read more: NevGold’s long intervals of antimony & gold mineralization turn heads
Read more: The pursuit for critical minerals: A Mugglehead roundup
Rivalry with China shapes US policy
The geopolitical landscape surrounding former President Donald Trump, China, and critical minerals remains tense and strategically significant. During his presidency, Trump prioritized securing American access to critical minerals—such as rare earth elements—viewing them as essential for national security and economic independence.
These minerals are crucial for defense systems, electric vehicles, and advanced technologies. At the time, China dominated the global supply chain, refining over 85 per cent of the world’s rare earths. In response, the Trump administration signed executive orders, launched initiatives to boost domestic production, and sought to reduce U.S. reliance on Chinese imports.
The rivalry with China continues to shape U.S. policy. Trump has recently emphasized the risks of depending on adversaries for key resources, framing it as a national security threat.
His stance aligns with broader bipartisan concerns over Chinese control of strategic supply chains. With tensions rising over Taiwan, trade, and technology, critical minerals remain a flashpoint in U.S.-China relations.
Should Trump return to office, analysts expect a renewed push for resource nationalism—potentially including tariffs, mining incentives, and public-private partnerships to build up domestic capabilities. In this context, critical minerals represent not just an economic issue but a cornerstone of geopolitical competition between the United States and China.
As global demand for critical minerals intensifies, companies like NevGold Corp (CVE: NAU) (OTCMKTS: NAUFF) (FRA: 5E50) are advancing domestic production.
NevGold’s Limousine Butte project in Nevada has revealed significant gold-antimony mineralization, with samples showing up to 10 per cent antimony.
Given that China, Russia, and Tajikistan produce approximately 90 per cent of the world’s antimony supply, NevGold’s efforts are crucial for reducing U.S. reliance on foreign sources.
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NevGold Corp is a sponsor of Mugglehead news coverage
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