The Adjustment and Impact of the U.S. Critical Minerals Strategy in the Context of the Ukraine Crisis

Abstract

Mineral resources are material for a country's economic and social development and are necessary for developing a clean energy and defense industry. With the iteration of science and technology and the global energy transformation, the competition for crucial mineral raw materials is related to the construction of the country's defense industry and the development of high-tech industries, so it has attracted more and more attention from governments worldwide. After taking office as President of the United States, Biden re-examined the United States' critical mineral strategy and elevated it to an important position in foreign policy. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has changed the existing geopolitical landscape in Europe. To occupy a favorable position in the international competition for critical materials, the United States has successively introduced a series of policies to ensure the United States' control of essential minerals. Given the current deterioration of the relationship between the United States, China, and Russia, the United States' measures to rebuild the mineral supply chain will bring certain strategic pressure on China and Russia, and the camp-based confrontation between major powers will become increasingly fierce. This article attempts to analyze the impact of the RussiaUkraine conflict on the U.S. critical minerals strategy and the changes it has brought to the global industrial and supply chains.