Trump initiated an investigation into the necessity of imposing tariffs on critical mineral products.

On April 16, Trump launched an inquiry into the need for tariffs on critical minerals, the latest move in a widening trade war against key sectors of the global economy. The order, signed by Trump on Tuesday, requires the Commerce Secretary to initiate a Section 232 investigation under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to “assess the impact of importing these materials on U.S. security and resilience,” according to a White House fact sheet. If the Commerce Secretary finds that importing critical minerals threatens “national security and the President decides to impose tariffs,” those levies will replace the so-called reciprocal tariffs on U.S. trading partners announced by Trump earlier this month. The order, which deals with critical minerals, including rare earth elements, is considered the “cornerstone of the U.S. defense industrial base” and is critical to the manufacture of jet engines, missile guidance systems, advanced computers, and radar, optics and communications equipment. The order also covers uranium and processed critical minerals and derivatives. By law, the Secretary of Commerce is required to submit the results of the investigation within 270 days. The White House said that although the United States has some important minerals, it is still imported in large quantities, creating economic and security risks. According to the U.S. government, the U.S. relies on imports for at least 15 critical minerals. Critical minerals are used in defense, automobiles, space travel, batteries, and other equipment, but the United States relies on other countries for most of its supplies.