Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Directs Negotiations to Adjust Imports of Processed Critical Minerals and Their Derivative Products into the United States

1/14/2026

Fact Sheets

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Action Summary

Proclamation & Authority: President Trump signed a Proclamation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, directing the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative to negotiate agreements addressing the national security threat from imports of processed critical minerals and their derivative products (PCMDPs).
Negotiation Objectives: Seek agreements with trading partners, in collaboration with allies, to implement price floors for trade in PCMDPs and ensure secure and reliable supply chains.
Contingency Measures: The Secretary of Commerce is tasked with informing the President of circumstances warranting additional action; further measures may be taken if negotiated agreements are not finalized, implemented, or prove ineffective within 180 days.
National Security Rationale: Recognizes that PCMDPs are essential for national defense, critical infrastructure, and the production of advanced technologies, while current reliance on imported materials and declining domestic production pose significant vulnerabilities.
Historical Context & Previous Actions:
- Follow-up to a completed Section 232 investigation that highlighted national security risks.
- Builds on prior executive actions aimed at securing critical industries, including an earlier Executive Order initiating this investigation.
Domestic Production & Strategic Projects: Emphasizes the need to boost U.S. mining and processing capabilities, citing initiatives such as unleashing offshore resources and the Ambler Road Project in Alaska to access large mineral deposits.
Global Partnerships: Reinforces existing critical minerals agreements with key allies (e.g., Australia, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan) to diversify supply chains and reduce reliance on adversarial nations.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order emphasizes the need for securing domestic supply chains for processed critical minerals, which could lead to increased regulatory requirements and scrutiny for industries relying on these minerals, including technology and manufacturing sectors.
Vanderbilt University may face increased demand for research and expertise in critical minerals, supply chain management, and national security, presenting opportunities but also requiring adjustments in curriculum and focus areas.
The focus on reducing import reliance could disrupt existing international collaborations and partnerships that Vanderbilt might have, especially if they involve countries affected by these negotiations and policies.
There could be potential funding opportunities from federal agencies interested in research and innovation related to critical minerals and national security. However, the competitive landscape for such funding might intensify.

Impacted Programs

School of Engineering at Vanderbilt may need to expand its research initiatives to include more focus on critical minerals and related technology developments to align with national security priorities.
Vanderbilt’s Business School might need to enhance its curriculum around global supply chain management and trade policy to prepare students for the changing economic landscape.
The Office of Global Strategy might need to reassess international partnerships to ensure alignment with new trade policies and national security considerations.
The Law School could see increased interest in courses and research related to trade law, international agreements, and national security regulations.

Financial Impact

There may be substantial federal funding directed towards research in critical minerals and supply chain resiliency, providing new grant opportunities for Vanderbilt University.
Changes in trade policies could impact the cost structure of research programs that rely on imported materials, necessitating adjustments in budgeting and resource allocation.
Vanderbilt might attract collaborations with industries focused on critical mineral supply chains, bringing potential for new revenue streams but also requiring careful navigation of associated risks and compliance issues.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order involves moderate risks and opportunities related to compliance, research focus, and potential funding shifts.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering should explore research opportunities in developing alternative processing technologies for critical minerals. By focusing on innovation in this area, the school can contribute to creating more efficient and sustainable supply chains.
The Office of Federal Relations should engage with federal agencies and industry partners to identify potential collaborations and funding opportunities related to the diversification of supply chains for critical minerals. This proactive engagement can position Vanderbilt as a key player in national security initiatives.
Vanderbilt’s Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization should assess the potential for commercialization of research findings related to critical minerals. By facilitating partnerships with industry, the center can help bring innovative solutions to market.

Opportunities

The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Earth and Environmental Sciences Department to expand its research into sustainable mining practices and critical mineral exploration. By leveraging its expertise, the department can contribute to the development of environmentally friendly extraction methods.
Vanderbilt’s Business School can capitalize on the focus on critical minerals by developing programs that address supply chain management and international trade policies. This can enhance the school’s curriculum and attract students interested in these strategic areas.
Engaging with international partners mentioned in the order, such as Australia and Japan, provides Vanderbilt University an opportunity to forge research collaborations and student exchange programs focused on critical mineral security and innovation.

Relevance Score: 4 (The order could require major adjustments to Vanderbilt’s research focus and industry collaborations.)

Average Relevance Score: 2.8

Timeline for Implementation

The negotiated agreements must be entered into within 180 days of the proclamation (January 14, 2026), or alternative actions will be taken.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of Commerce: The Secretary of Commerce is directed to negotiate agreements and monitor import conditions of processed critical minerals, ensuring the national security and economic stability of domestic supply chains.
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR): The USTR is mandated to work alongside the Department of Commerce in negotiating trade agreements related to processed critical minerals and their derivatives, thereby playing a key role in aligning trade policy with national security objectives.

Relevance Score: 1 (Only 2 Federal Agencies are directly impacted by this directive.)

Responsible Officials

U.S. Secretary of Commerce – Tasked with jointly negotiating agreements with trading partners to address national security risks associated with imports of processed critical minerals, as well as informing the President of any circumstances requiring further action under Section 232.
U.S. Trade Representative – Responsible for joint negotiation of trade agreements with trading partners concerning processed critical minerals and their derivatives.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect Cabinet-level officials responsible for national security trade negotiations and policy implementation.)