U.S. Representative Young Kim of California's District 40 has expressed concerns over China's increasing control over critical minerals, which she says poses a threat to America's security and supply chains. Her statement was made on the social media platform X.
"The CCP cannot hold the keys to America's most vital technologies & defense systems," said Kim. "I spoke with U.S. companies about how China is tightening its chokehold on critical minerals & why we must secure our supply chains before Xi Jinping turns the lock."
According to Elements, between 2020 and 2023, China accounted for 70 percent of U.S. rare earth imports, making it the leading supplier ahead of Malaysia, Japan, and Estonia. The U.S.'s reliance on foreign sources for rare earth minerals reached 80 percent in net import dependency by 2024, revealing strategic vulnerabilities across various industries, including defense and advanced manufacturing.
Business Insider reported that the U.S. Department of Defense has designated Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) as a "Chinese military company," which will result in a ban on Pentagon procurement starting in June 2026. This designation is based on Section 1260H of the National Defense Authorization Act and reflects growing U.S. concerns over national security risks associated with CATL's role in the battery and critical minerals sectors. CATL plans to legally challenge this designation to safeguard its global market operations.
The U.S. Department of Defense finalized a $400 million agreement with MP Materials in July 2025, acquiring a 15% equity stake that positions it as the company's largest single shareholder, according to Defense One and Investor’s Business Daily. As part of this deal, the Pentagon secured a decade-long price floor for neodymium-praseodymium oxide at $110 per kilogram and committed to purchasing all rare-earth magnets produced by MP Materials. This initiative aims to stabilize U.S. supply chains and lessen dependence on Chinese rare earths in both defense and clean energy sectors.
Representative Kim currently serves California’s 40th Congressional District and holds significant roles on several committees and caucuses, as noted on her official House website. In the 119th Congress, she chairs the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific and serves on the House Financial Services Committee, focusing on national security, illicit finance, and monetary policy issues. She is also active in multiple caucuses—including the Problem Solvers Caucus, SALT Caucus, Financial Literacy & Wealth Creation Caucus, and Taiwan Caucus—highlighting her leadership in international relations, financial security, and bipartisan cooperation.
