On July 24, 2025, a meeting convened by White House officials focused on strategies to enhance U.S. critical minerals production. Hosted by Peter Navarro, a trade advisor, and David Copley, a National Security Council official, the discussion involved representatives from ten rare earth companies and technology firms, including Apple, Microsoft, and Corning. These companies rely on a steady supply of critical minerals for electronics manufacturing.

A view of the MP Materials rare earth open-pit mine in Mountain Pass, California, U.S. January 30, 2020.

Navarro and Copley highlighted a recent Pentagon investment in MP Materials, which included a minimum price guarantee for rare earths, and indicated that similar arrangements are under consideration for other firms. Rare earths, a group of 17 metals essential for magnets in electronics and defense applications, are critical to various industries. The officials emphasized the need to rapidly expand U.S. capabilities in mining, processing, recycling, and magnet production to strengthen domestic supply chains.

Navarro confirmed the meeting to Reuters, stating: "Our goal is to build out our supply chains from mines to end use products across the entire critical mineral spectrum, and the companies assembled at the meeting have the potential to play important roles in this effort." He noted the administration’s aim to act swiftly while maintaining efficiency to address supply chain vulnerabilities.

The meeting also addressed global market dynamics. China, a major producer of rare earths, paused exports in March 2025 amid trade tensions with the U.S., though recent developments suggest a partial easing of these restrictions. To support U.S. firms, Navarro and Copley encouraged leveraging government incentives, including financial support from a tax and spending bill signed on July 4, 2025.

Attendees, including Phoenix Tailings, Momentum Technologies, Vulcan Elements, REEcycle, Cyclic Materials, Redwood Materials, Cirba Solutions, TechMet, and Noveon, discussed industry challenges. Vulcan CEO John Maslin remarked: "These guys are serious about fixing the problem. They want companies to partner." The group proposed restricting exports of equipment containing rare earth magnets to encourage domestic recycling, but Navarro indicated such measures would be considered only after further development of the U.S. industry.

Navarro and Copley urged technology companies to invest in the rare earths sector through funding or acquisitions. Apple recently signed a supply agreement with MP Materials following the Pentagon’s investment. The officials plan to reconvene with the companies in four to six weeks to maintain momentum in supporting the U.S. critical minerals industry.