Donald Trump’s top trade official has urged allies to pay higher prices for
critical minerals sourced outside China as the US seeks to reduce dependence on
Beijing. Jamieson Greer said partners must accept a “national security premium,”
with supply potentially coming from a proposed bloc including Europe.
The US plans minimum price rules to protect mining investments and may impose
tariffs on non-member producers such as China. However, allies have expressed
concern over higher costs for industries including defence, autos, and clean
energy, and potential retaliation from China. Greer argued cost efficiency has
contributed to Western reliance on China and said secure supply chains require a
shared security premium.
