Trump, Congress Move On Rare Earths: 5 Stocks To Watch
Benzinga·2026-01-15 16:40

Core Insights - The U.S. government is intensifying efforts to achieve mineral independence, focusing on securing the domestic rare-earth supply chain [1] Government Actions - President Trump has directed representatives to negotiate price floors with allies and consider tariffs on rare earths and critical minerals due to national security concerns stemming from a 2025 investigation [2] - A bipartisan coalition in Congress plans to introduce a $2.5 billion Strategic Resilience Reserve to create a domestic stockpile of critical minerals, aimed at protecting the economy from price manipulation and supply shocks [3] Legislative Developments - The SECURE Minerals Act, introduced by Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Todd Young, proposes an independent board to oversee the acquisition and storage of essential minerals like lithium, nickel, and rare earths [4] Companies to Watch - MP Materials Corp. (NYSE:MP): The only integrated mine-to-magnet producer in the Western Hemisphere, positioned as a leader in the domestic rare earths sector [5] - Critical Metals Corp. (NASDAQ:CRML): Controls the Tanbreez project in Greenland, benefiting from renewed U.S. interest in Arctic resources [7] - USA Rare Earth (NASDAQ:USAR): Focused on the Round Top deposit in Texas, with accelerated production timelines to meet government energy directives [8] - Lithium Americas Corp. (NYSE:LAC): Primarily a lithium play, with significant government equity investment, highlighting the strategic importance of critical minerals [9] - Trilogy Metals Inc. (AMEX:TMQ): Gaining momentum from U.S. government equity injections, focusing on projects in Alaska essential for diversifying supply chains [10]