Vice President JD Vance addressed world leaders on February 4, 2026, at the U.S. State Department’s Critical Minerals Ministerial, emphasizing the strategic importance of secure and diversified mineral supply chains. Highlighting dependencies on foreign sources, Vance said, “This is something where our alliances and our friendships can really help one another... We have the capacity to make ourselves more independent, more self-reliant...”

The Vice President’s remarks focused on reducing U.S. reliance on critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt, essential for high-tech industries, electric vehicles, and energy storage. Currently, the United States depends entirely on imports for 14 critical minerals, with China controlling over 60% of rare earth processing according to USGS data. Vance proposed forming a U.S.-led trading bloc with allied nations to stabilize global supply, prevent monopolistic price manipulation, and strengthen national security.

Vance outlined a strategy combining international partnerships with policy tools such as tariffs, price floors, and import diversification. While these measures aim to bolster self-reliance and secure strategic resources, experts warn they may increase trade tensions with non-allied nations and require careful negotiation to maintain global market stability.

The address underscores the administration’s broader agenda to protect critical industries, advance technological competitiveness, and secure energy and defense infrastructure by ensuring that the U.S. and its allies maintain resilient, independent supply chains for the minerals crucial to modern economies.