The Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party's Critical Minerals Policy Working Group convened its second meeting this afternoon in Washington, D.C. The session was led by Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) and Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL). The focus of the discussion centered on the United States' significant dependence on Chinese imports of critical minerals, strategies for collaborating with allies to establish alternative sources, and policy measures to encourage this transition.

Experts presenting at the meeting included Adam Johnson, Managing Partner at Metis Endeavor; Wade Yeoman, Executive General Manager, Commercial at Jervois; and Mahnaz Khan, Vice President of Policy for Critical Supply Chains at Silverado Policy Accelerator.

Rep. Rob Wittman emphasized China's deliberate exclusion of the U.S. from critical mineral supply chains: “We can’t build semiconductor plants without access to things like gallium, germanium, and graphite.”

Rep. Kathy Castor addressed the predatory practices of the Chinese Communist Party in the critical mineral industry: “[The Chinese Communist Party] is not fair, and in the United States of America we’re built upon fairness, in collaboration with our allies and like-minded countries.”

Adam Johnson highlighted the competitive nature of securing critical minerals: “The challenge we face requires bold vision. It’s the nature of the competition we are in. We must take action to mobilize Western industry behind U.S. leadership.”

Wade Yeoman pointed out America's potential to reduce reliance on China: "America has it within its power to reduce this dependence on China for critical minerals and to shield itself from the worst effects of the Chinese price manipulations.”

Mahnaz Khan outlined China's strategy for controlling critical mineral supply chains: “What’s going to happen is China is going to go into, especially African countries and other countries, and control the midstream processing.”