U.S. Faces Pressure to Build Weapons Without China's Rare Earth Magnets
The U.S. is under increasing pressure to develop a domestic supply chain for critical minerals used in weapons systems, as reliance on China's rare earth magnets poses a strategic risk. The Pentagon has set a deadline of January 1, 2027, to eliminate dependence on China-sourced tungsten. Companies like Phoenix Tailings are working to expand their capacity to process critical minerals domestically. The urgency is heightened by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which is depleting U.S. munitions stockpiles, and recent executive orders from President Trump imposing stricter controls on sourcing from China. 
