Will take unprecedented action to ensure supply of rare earths critical to tech, military: US

The United States will take "unprecedented actions" to ensure the supply of strategic minerals and rare earth critical to the tech sector and the military, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said Tuesday.

China is a major supplier of the critical materials and as the trade conflict with Washington has escalated, Beijing has dangled a threat of cutting exports of rare earth as a counter-strike to US tariffs.

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Ross said in a statement that a new report designates 35 minerals as "critical to the economic and national security" of America, including uranium, titanium, and rare earth elements needed for smartphones, computers, aircraft and GPS systems, among other uses.

"These critical minerals are often overlooked but modern life without them would be impossible," Ross said.

"Through the recommendations detailed in this report, the Federal government will take unprecedented action to ensure that the United States will not be cut off from these vital materials."

President Donald Trump has ramped up his aggressive stance towards China in a bid to pressure the country to change its objectionable trade practices but the most recent flare-up caused talks to breakdown, especially due to US actions against Chinese tech giant Huawei.

In December 2017, Trump called on Commerce and other government agencies to develop new sources of critical minerals to reduce vulnerabilities to supply disruptions, especially from foreign sources.

The report calls for actions including improving supplies "through investment and trade with America's allies," while streamlining permitting for mining in the United States, including on federal lands.

It also lists a plan to improve mapping and data collection to promote domestic mineral exploration.