Why does the United States rely on China for critical minerals and what are the economic and security implications of this interdependence? From fighter jets to fridges, critical minerals are everywhere, shaping the global economy and our daily lives. Today, China dominates many points along critical mineral supply chains, such as mining and refining, following decades of intentional industrial policy. After years of relying on Chinese companies for these vital inputs, the United States has grown uncomfortable with its dependence on China for critical minerals. This economic chokehold became evident when Washington imposed tariffs and advanced chip export controls on China, causing Beijing to restrict rare earth exports to the United States – jeopardizing economic stability and galvanizing U.S. efforts to build up alternative, China-free supply chains. How realistic is completely decoupling critical mineral dependence from China?
Cory Combs joined us on July 23, 2026, to discuss the reasons behind and implications of the United States’ critical mineral chokepoints with China.
Cory Combs
Cory Combs oversees supply chain research and the energy and climate verticals at Trivium China, where he and his team provide research and strategic advisory services for a range of government agencies, MNCs, investors, and NGOs. Cory is a member of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, a fellow of the Penn Project on U.S.-China Relations, and a participant in various international Track II dialogues. He is a regular commentator in global media and contributor to academic research, including in the Springer Nature Handbook of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation. He previously consulted on renewable and nuclear energy commercialization for the U.S. Department of Energy.