Henrico Times

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA-01) led the second roundtable discussion of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s Critical Minerals Policy Working Group. The discussion focused on the United States' heavy import reliance on critical minerals and the implications of price manipulation and supply shocks orchestrated by the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

In June, Rep. Wittman was appointed to lead this working group, which aims to develop legislation and raise awareness through committee events to counter the CCP's dominance in critical minerals.

Last month, the congressman led the group’s inaugural roundtable discussion with critical minerals experts who highlighted the importance of battery materials and rare earth magnets in national security and advanced technologies, emphasizing current dependencies on foreign production chains, particularly from China. The meeting explored strategies to strengthen domestic production, diversify supply chains, and enhance the resilience and sustainability of the rare earth magnet industry in the United States.

Rep. Wittman’s opening statement as prepared for delivery:

“Thank you for joining me today for the second session of the Select Committee’s critical mineral policy working group.

During our first session, we examined the role that battery materials, rare earth elements, and permanent magnets play in the United States’ national and economic security. We also began to discuss our nation’s import dependence on the People’s Republic of China and strategies to enhance the resilience and sustainability of U.S. rare earth magnet and battery production industries.

Today’s roundtable will explore the United States’ heavy—and often PRC single-source—import reliance on critical minerals and the risks that this reliance poses to U.S. national and economic security. Whether PRC chooses to use these vulnerabilities to inflict price manipulation or supply shocks to undercut global competitors or export restrictions that limit these materials' flow abroad, its chokehold on critical minerals presents an existential threat to our defense industrial base and continued development of emerging industries in the United States.

These risks are not theoretical. Less than two weeks ago, China’s State Council issued new regulations to tighten CCP’s chokehold over every stage of rare earth element (REE) supply chain. This new instrument of CCP economic coercion institutes ‘total quantity control’ of REE mining and processing but also establishes something more concerning—a system to register and monitor domestic and foreign sales of rare earth elements. With this enhanced data collection alongside quotas, taxes, and export controls, China ensures domestic companies have preferential access while foreign companies face supply constraints and higher prices. Detailed tracking will enable PRC's enhanced targeting of U.S. ally chokepoints putting U.S. national security at risk if CCP restricts access during periods of geopolitical tension.

This is simply one more clarion call for a decisive strategic response from U.S. We need urgent action easing permitting burdens on new domestic miners/processors recognizing market limits overcoming PRC monopoly needing targeted government intervention restoring domestic/ally resilience."

Today three participants helped explore these issues:

Adam Johnson is managing partner at Metis Endeavor; he has worked with miners/processors/OEMs securing U.S.’s critical mineral supply chains.

Wade Yeoman is executive general manager commercial at Jervois; he discussed how Jervois U.S.'s mine shut down due predatory PRC behavior ensuring prevention methods.

Mahnaz Khan is Vice President Policy Critical Supply Chains Silverado Policy Accelerator; her experience offers perspectives diversifying U.S.'s import reliance PRC.”

With that floor turned over Congresswoman Castor.