President Donald Trump signed an order under the Defense Production Act on July 30 or 31, 2026, granting officials authority to restrict exports of certain industrial waste containing recoverable critical minerals and rare earth elements [1, 2, 3, 4]. The restrictions target materials in finished products like magnets and lithium-ion batteries that can be reclaimed and recycled [1, 2, 3, 4].
The order is part of efforts to strengthen US supplies of critical minerals and reduce reliance on China, which imposed export controls on rare earth elements in 2025 [1, 2, 3, 4]. The Defense Production Act allows the president to take unilateral steps to bolster national defense capabilities, including directing private industry to increase production of crucial industrial materials [1, 2, 3, 4].
Former President Joe Biden also invoked the same law to promote domestic manufacturing of solar panels, transformers, heat pumps, and fuel cells [1, 2, 3].
Earlier US-China trade agreements focused on reopening access to critical minerals and rare earths by easing tariffs and some export restrictions, despite concurrent efforts to secure alternative sources [1, 2, 3, 4].
Sources differ on the exact signing date, with some citing July 30 and others July 31, 2026 [1, 2, 3]. The administration has emphasized the importance of retaining critical minerals for national security and economic stability.
The new export restrictions are expected to take effect immediately as officials finalize implementation rules.
