美国国防部正在加快推动建立国内稀土磁铁和关键矿物供应链，以降低对中国的依赖。特朗普政府于2025年7月20日发布行政令，明确规定"不仅军方部署的成品设备，而且制造、维护、维持和修复该设备所必需的关键材料和部件，都应从国内或盟国采购"[1]。这一政策直接回应了美国国防承包商在生产战斧导弹、THAAD防空系统和F-35战斗机等武器系统时对中国稀土元素的依赖[1]。
为推进这一目标，美国国防部向Phoenix Tailings公司提供了5亿美元贷款，用于扩大稀土元素生产[1]。该公司计划在14至18个月内建设新工厂，目前年产200公斤钐，预计在2027年或2028年前达到120吨产能[1]。据美国国防部评估，年度钐需求量约为50至100吨[1]。同时，Arnold Magnetic Technologies公司已转向法国供应商Solvay采购钐等重稀土元素[1]。
中国对关键矿物市场的控制力仍然巨大，其控制着全球钨矿供应的约80%及下游加工的更大份额[1]。美国防部已要求2027年1月1日前停止使用中国钨[1]。美国军方在中东战争中导弹库存大幅下降，这也促使国防部加快补充先进导弹库存的步伐[1]。智库CSIS警告称，补充战斧导弹、爱国者导弹和THAAD库存可能需要至少三年[1]。
The United States is intensifying efforts to establish domestic and allied sources of rare earth magnets critical to advanced military systems, reducing dependence on Chinese supplies.[1] The Department of Defense awarded Phoenix Tailings a $500 million loan to expand production, with the company planning to construct new facilities within 14 to 18 months.[1] Currently producing 200 kilograms of samarium annually, Phoenix Tailings aims to reach 120 tons of capacity by 2027 or 2028, while the Pentagon estimates annual demand for samarium at 50 to 100 tons.[1] Meanwhile, Arnold Magnetic Technologies has shifted to sourcing rare earth elements such as samarium from French supplier Solvay.[1]
China's dominance in critical materials poses a strategic vulnerability for U.S. defense procurement.[1] China controls approximately 80 percent of global tungsten ore supply and an even larger share of downstream processing.[1] In response, the Department of Defense has mandated that all use of Chinese tungsten cease by January 1, 2027.[1] On July 20, 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order declaring that "it is the policy of the United States that not only finished equipment deployed by the military, but also critical materials and components necessary to manufacture, maintain, sustain and repair that equipment, shall be procured from domestic sources or from allied nations."[1]
The urgency reflects mounting military pressures on existing inventory.[1] U.S. military missile stockpiles have declined substantially due to conflicts in the Middle East, with the Center for Strategic and International Studies warning that replenishing Tomahawk, Patriot, and THAAD missile inventories could require at least three years.[1]