America sits atop an abundance of natural resources, yet our once-robust mining sector has withered. Today, only two of the world’s 25 largest mining companies are headquartered in the United States, and just one is led by an American CEO. Meanwhile, China has surged ahead, leveraging state-backed investment and aggressive diplomacy to increase its influence over the global mining business. This is not just an economic issue — it’s a national security issue.

Access to the world’s mineral wealth will influence America’s ability to advance technologically, militarily, and economically. If we become dependent on Beijing’s mineral supply chains, we are handing China leverage over our future.