White House Advances Strategic Mining Push, Deepens U.S.–Ukraine Mineral Alliance
In a bold step to boost U.S. mineral independence, the White House on Friday unveiled a new wave of mining projects, delivering on President Donald Trump’s campaign pledge to reduce reliance on foreign sources for critical materials vital to national defense and manufacturing.
The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council) announced the second round of critical mineral production initiatives to receive designation under the FAST-41 transparency framework. These projects, now featured on the Federal Permitting Dashboard, are part of Trump’s Executive Order aimed at accelerating domestic mineral production.
“The Permitting Council is proud to expand our portfolio of high-priority mineral projects,” said Acting Executive Director Manisha Patel. “Bringing these initiatives into the spotlight not only enhances government accountability but also streamlines environmental reviews that often stall critical development.”
This second batch of mining initiatives was submitted by the National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC), continuing momentum from an initial group of 10 projects forwarded in early April. According to the White House, more additions are expected in the coming weeks as the administration moves aggressively to secure the raw materials needed to power everything from fighter jets to electric vehicles.
This domestic surge in mining comes just days after a landmark U.S.–Ukraine deal granting Washington greater access to Kyiv’s rare earth resources—currently dominated by Chinese suppliers. The deal, signed in Washington by Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, marks a significant pivot in Trump’s foreign policy approach to Ukraine.
“On behalf of the Government of Ukraine, I signed the Agreement on the Establishment of a United States–Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund,” Svyrydenko announced on X. “Together with the United States, we are building a vehicle to attract global investment into our country.”
The new partnership lays the foundation for a decade-long, 50-50 investment fund aimed at rebuilding Ukraine’s economy. Notably, only new U.S. military aid will be counted toward Washington’s share, tying economic reconstruction directly to American strategic interests.
Trump, who had previously indicated that continued U.S. support for Ukraine would hinge on access to its rare earth deposits, cast the agreement as a form of repayment for American military assistance. The deal emerged after a tense Oval Office exchange between Trump administration officials and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to Fox News.
Treasury Secretary Bessent framed the pact as both a message of resolve and a tool for peace: “This agreement signals to Russia that the Trump Administration stands firm in supporting a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine. No one who aided the Russian war effort will benefit from this reconstruction.”
The U.S. is currently targeting over 20 raw materials considered critical to its security and economic future. These include titanium and uranium—used in aircraft, nuclear energy, and weapons—as well as lithium, graphite, and manganese, all vital for electric vehicle batteries and advanced technology.
As the Trump administration fuses foreign policy with industrial strategy, the dual-track effort—accelerating domestic mining and forging international resource alliances—signals a new era of American energy and mineral independence.
