In 1992, Deng Xiaoping said: “The Middle East has oil and China has rare earths.” China has since gained a near monopoly over the market for critical minerals — the building blocks of data centers, industrial motors, electric vehicles, and advanced weapons systems. Beijing has increased export controls, reaching a peak in 2025 with the tariff war, leaving Washington in a position of geopolitical vulnerability.
The Inflation Reduction Act took the U.S. closer to diversification, but broad energy projects alone will not secure mineral access. To actually stabilize supply, the U.S. must work on two fronts: expand international mineral-access partnerships and accelerate domestic production. Domestically, no state is better positioned than Utah.
Domestic expansion must address investor concerns about environmental security and shifting federal policies, develop mining, separation, and refining capacity, and safely shrink 15-20 year permitting delays. Nationally, this should take the classic form of grants, tax rebates, and public-private partnerships.
Utah, already a leading domestic producer of critical minerals, should first capitalize on geographically unique lithium-rich brine from the Great Salt Lake, supporting sustainable extraction projects like Lilac and building in-state separation and refining facilities — first of lithium, then magnesium, beryllium, and copper.
Second, Utah should expand its workforce pipeline by funding university programs and research concerning metallurgy and materials science.
Lastly, Utah should expedite permitting for critical mineral projects, shortening development timelines while maintaining clear environmental guardrails. These efforts would streamline the supply chain, ease investor concerns, and create long-term Utah jobs.
Internationally, the U.S. must strengthen alliances with critical mineral producers and refiners such as Canada, Australia, Japan and South Korea, sharing economic responsibility while safeguarding developing firms from Chinese dumping.
Utah can lead domestic efforts, but only if Washington and Salt Lake City act now, before Beijing’s market leverage becomes permanent.
Madilyne Beaudry, Salt Lake City
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