There are currently no specific tariffs or quotas on critical minerals imports.
However, President Trump signed an executive order on April 15, 2025, directing the secretary of commerce to initiate a Section 232 investigation into whether imports of critical minerals, including rare earth elements, threaten to impair national security. This investigation includes imports of critical mineral oxides, oxalates, salts, and metals (processed critical minerals) as well as their derivative products.
Within 180 days, the secretary of commerce will submit a report to the president with findings and recommendations on actions to mitigate any threats, including potential tariffs, export controls, or incentives to increase domestic production.
ST&R offers a three-pronged approach for avoiding, mitigating, and/or recovering these and other tariffs. For more information on which of these strategies might be most effective for your business, please contact ST&R.
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