As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes nearly every aspect of American life, a less visible but far more consequential challenge is emerging. The critical minerals that are essential to the weapons systems and platforms that underpin U.S. national security are also instrumental in powering the AI technological surge. Right now, access to these minerals is dominated by a single foreign source. 

From rare earth elements to advanced metals, these sought after materials are overwhelmingly processed and refined overseas, largely under China’s control. The United States faces a stark choice: rebuild domestic industrial capacity, or continue to rely on a strategic competitor to power both our economy and our defense.