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On April 15, 2025, the White House issued an order to investigate the national security implications of importing processed critical minerals and their derivative products. These materials are essential for various sectors, including defense, energy, and telecommunications, and the United States currently relies significantly on foreign sources for them. The investigation will assess whether these imports pose a substantial risk to the United States’ economic and defense readiness, taking into account factors such as supply chain vulnerabilities and foreign market manipulations.

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