This piece originally appeared in the National Interest.
As much as “critical mineral” has become a buzzword in DC policy circles, we too frequently lose sight of how they fit into a larger vision of American industry.
Earlier this week, Vice President Vance articulated that vision as the keynote speaker at a16z’s American Dynamism conference. He spoke of an economy that rewards innovation, promotes domestic manufacturing, and provides American workers with both prosperity and purpose. So far, this is the most direct articulation of the Trump administration’s plan for reindustrialization.
If we’re bringing manufacturing back to America, we should do it from the ground up. Reshoring and securing critical mineral supply chains will be an essential part of that larger program. But before explaining how, it’s worth revisiting why critical minerals are important.
