Group 1 - The Trump administration is considering reallocating at least $2 billion from the CHIPS Act to fund critical mineral projects, enhancing Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo's influence in this strategic sector [2][3] - The proposed funding shift aims to address the semiconductor industry's need for essential minerals like germanium and gallium, which are crucial for electronics and defense [3] - The CHIPS Act, valued at $52.7 billion, was signed into law in 2022 to support semiconductor research and domestic production [2] Group 2 - Mining and processing companies are likely to benefit from the reallocation of funds, as most critical minerals are not processed domestically [4] - The Trump administration's plans for the $2 billion funding are still under discussion, with no clear indication of whether it will be used for grants or equity investments in mining companies [4] - The administration is also exploring partnerships with semiconductor manufacturers like Intel to exchange cash grants for equity [4] Group 3 - Secretary Raimondo's role is being elevated to oversee government funding decisions related to critical minerals, aiming for a more coordinated approach [6] - The Pentagon's recent investment in MP Materials raised questions about the government's mineral strategy, prompting a need for clearer management [6] - The administration is moving quickly to promote deep-sea mining and domestic projects to expand the production of critical minerals [4][6]