Why Trump's Executive Orders on Critical Minerals Still Matter in 2025
When President Trump first signed Executive Order 13953 back in 2020, most people didn’t notice. It was technical, buried in bureaucratic language, and mostly covered by mining trade outlets. But it quietly declared something big:
Critical minerals are a national emergency.
Fast forward to 2025, and that obscure order now sits at the heart of one of the most important stories in AI, geopolitics, and national security.
Here's where it gets real: artificial intelligence isn't just about software. It's powered by advanced chips, and those chips depend on rare metals – lithium, cobalt, neodymium, and others buried deep in American soil or tightly controlled by foreign powers.
Trump's executive order aimed to reverse decades of U.S. reliance on China for these resources. It wasn’t just about energy independence. It was about weapon systems, AI supercomputers, and what he called “a full-spectrum tech sovereignty agenda.”
In 2025, Trump has renewed that mission.
And there's one tiny American company many believe could be the centerpiece of it all.
If you're already curious about that story, this breakdown of the $100 Trillion AI Metal lays it out in full.
How AI, National Security, and Rare Earth Mining Just Collided
The public debate around AI tends to focus on data, ethics, and who owns the algorithms. But beneath the surface, there’s a deeper issue most investors completely overlook:
Hardware.
Training large language models and generative AI systems requires extreme compute power. That means next-gen GPUs, advanced semiconductors, and quantum infrastructure – all of which depend on rare earth elements and critical minerals.
These aren't just abstract inputs. They are physical resources, mined from the earth, refined through complex processes, and assembled into chips that power everything from your phone to defense satellites.
“America cannot lead the AI future using Chinese minerals.” – Trump, 2024 campaign trail
That's the crux. If the United States wants to win the AI race – not just in consumer apps, but in defense, biotech, and national infrastructure – it needs control over the raw materials.
The Biden administration focused on semiconductors through the CHIPS Act. Trump, on the other hand, is going upstream – to the mines.
The Ghost Town That Could Be the Center of the $100 Trillion AI Boom
Somewhere in the American Southwest, in a nearly abandoned town once written off as a relic of the industrial age, sits what might be the most valuable untapped mineral deposit in North America.
This isn't a sci-fi setup. It's a real story, and it's at the heart of a new prediction by tech investor Jeff Brown.
According to Brownstone Research, one tiny U.S. company holds a virtual monopoly on a type of mineral essential for next-generation AI infrastructure. And this company is quietly being positioned as the supplier of choice for Trump's reshoring plan.
Think about that: a once-forgotten town is now being revitalized by AI demand, national security incentives, and a growing mineral war with China.
If this sounds dramatic, it is. Because the stakes are.
If you're looking for the company Brown believes is best positioned, click here to explore the full AI Metal opportunity.
What the Mainstream Press Isn’t Saying About Trump’s AI Mining Push
Search CNBC. Read the White House archives. You’ll see the same story repeated in different ways:
- China dominates rare earth supply.
- The U.S. is at risk.
- The government is investing billions.
But what you won’t find is what really matters to individual investors:
Which companies are actually positioned to benefit?
That’s the gap. The media stays neutral. Government documents avoid endorsements. And most financial coverage barely scratches the surface of how executive policy could supercharge a company’s stock price.
Here’s what most outlets miss:
- There’s a real reshoring plan now. Trump isn’t just proposing ideas – he’s reactivating executive orders that give him wartime-style powers to fast-track domestic production.
- The mineral list is shrinking. Trump’s team has narrowed the focus to a few AI-critical resources. That’s created a laser target for funding and subsidies.
- Supply contracts are on the table. With tensions rising globally, private firms with U.S. extraction capacity are being vetted for priority defense supplier status.
And the company behind the so-called “AI Metal” may be the first to benefit.
Why isn’t this front-page news? Because the retail-facing narrative hasn’t caught up yet. The moment it does, the window to position early will start to close.
This is where policy, power, and profit intersect. And it’s why understanding these signals – before the crowd – matters.
Is There a “Trump-Approved” Stock Behind the Executive Order?
Let’s be clear: no U.S. president officially “backs” any stock. That would be illegal, unethical, and politically radioactive.
But there’s a difference between endorsing a company and creating the conditions that allow it to thrive.
Trump’s executive order doesn’t name names. What it does is create a national security umbrella – a priority channel for defense-related industries, infrastructure suppliers, and yes, critical mineral producers.
And here’s where it gets interesting:
- The Department of Defense already maintains a shortlist of “essential suppliers” in the rare earths space.
- Certain companies – especially those with domestic refining capacity – have begun receiving early funding or tax breaks.
- One tiny firm matches nearly every criteria laid out in the Trump executive order: location, resource, strategic relevance, and vertical integration.
According to Jeff Brown, this company holds a virtual monopoly on a metal that AI chips depend on.
“This isn’t about catching a tech trend. It’s about securing America’s digital future – and the few companies that can make that happen.”
If Trump is serious about reshoring the AI supply chain, this company is likely to be one of the first in line for contracts, subsidies, and policy protection.
The market hasn’t fully priced this in – yet. But if policy momentum continues, that could change fast.
Click here to see the full AI Metal opportunity Jeff Brown is tracking.
Timeline of Key U.S. Actions on Critical Minerals (2020–2025)
Understanding how we got here is key to seeing where this goes next. Most people don’t realize the AI mineral story has been quietly building for years – under both Republican and Democratic administrations – but with very different priorities.
Here’s a simplified timeline of how rare earths went from obscure commodity to national security flashpoint:
Year | Action | Impact |
---|---|---|
2020 | Trump signs EO 13953 declaring critical mineral supply a national emergency | Establishes baseline for U.S. independence from China |
2021 | Biden expands analysis of supply chain resilience | Focused on semiconductors, not raw materials |
2022 | Inflation Reduction Act passes | Pushes green energy agenda, modest mineral support |
2023 | Rare earth market volatility spikes after export restrictions in China | Wake-up call: U.S. supply is still dangerously fragile |
2024 | Trump campaign links AI race to resource control | Shifts narrative from climate to defense and tech leadership |
2025 | Trump reactivates EO with new AI security framing | Declares mineral access part of “American AI Sovereignty” |
This policy arc shows a shift from “important” to urgent.
In 2020, it was about future-proofing. By 2025, it’s framed as a frontline issue – on par with energy and military readiness.
And the companies aligned with this shift aren’t just in mining. They’re in processing, supply chain logistics, and AI infrastructure – all industries now under the reshoring spotlight.
Trump’s AI Executive Order vs Biden’s CHIPS Act – What’s Different?
At a glance, both policies look similar: government-backed efforts to secure America’s technological future.
But underneath, they’re very different plays.
Biden’s CHIPS Act (2022) was about building things here again. It poured money into semiconductor fabrication plants, offered incentives to chipmakers like Intel and TSMC, and aimed to reduce reliance on Asia for finished products.
Smart – but it skipped a foundational step.
Trump’s approach goes deeper: control the raw inputs before the chips are even made. His Executive Orders target the extraction and refinement of critical minerals – the building blocks of the AI age.
Here’s the contrast:
Policy Focus | Biden (CHIPS Act) | Trump (Executive Orders) |
---|---|---|
Primary Goal | Semiconductor manufacturing | AI-critical mineral control |
Industry Beneficiaries | Chipmakers, foundries | Mining, refining, logistics |
Framing | Economic + competitiveness | Defense + national emergency |
Timeline | 5–10 year scale-up | Immediate fast-track action |
Visibility | Widely covered, supported by tech press | Under-reported, but more aggressive |
Trump’s order reactivates war powers-style language – allowing the government to prioritize certain suppliers, bypass red tape, and classify critical minerals as national security assets.
If Biden's plan was to build the factories, Trump’s is to own the dirt beneath them.
And if you're betting on the next stage of AI infrastructure growth, that distinction could mean everything.
National Security Stocks to Watch If This Trend Accelerates
Once you recognize the pattern – AI, defense, reshoring, and mineral supply tightening – the question becomes: Where’s the opportunity?
Here’s a tactical breakdown of the kinds of stocks worth watching if Trump’s Executive Order gains traction:
1. The AI Metal Stock (Jeff Brown’s Pick)
This is the centerpiece. According to Brownstone Research, this company:
- Controls a rare U.S.-based deposit essential to advanced chips
- Has vertical integration from mining to refinement
- May already be in conversation with defense contractors
- Operates near an old industrial site now being repurposed under infrastructure grants
If you're looking for the company he believes has the most upside, see the AI Metal thesis here.
2. Domestic Rare Earth Miners
Beyond Brown’s top pick, several other publicly traded companies are expanding U.S. production of elements like:
- Neodymium (used in magnets for electric vehicles and turbines)
- Lithium (key to battery storage, yes – but also in quantum AI builds)
- Scandium and yttrium (lesser-known but essential for lasers, displays, and satellite tech)
Some of these have already received funding from the Department of Energy or DoD under prior grants.
3. Defense-Adjacent Infrastructure Plays
Think beyond minerals – who will move, refine, and protect this supply chain?
- Rail logistics firms tied to Southwest mining corridors
- Specialized construction firms with DoD contracts for hardened facilities
- Companies building chip manufacturing and processing extensions in the U.S.
4. AI Hardware Companies Sourcing U.S. Minerals
Some chipmakers may hedge risk by partnering early with U.S. mineral firms to guarantee future supply. This could create long-term joint ventures that send both stock prices up.
This isn’t just a “green energy” opportunity. It’s an AI arms race that starts at the extraction level. The smartest plays will be those that benefit before the rest of the market understands the geopolitical implications.
Final Thoughts – Will Trump’s AI Executive Order Spark the Next Mega Boom?
We’ve seen executive orders come and go. But this one hits differently.
It’s not just policy – it’s positioning. Trump isn’t just calling for AI dominance. He’s creating the infrastructure to support it. And the companies aligned with that mission – especially those controlling rare earth minerals – could see a windfall few are prepared for.
The public is focused on ChatGPT.
The smart money is focused on what powers it.
If America is going to lead the next chapter of AI, it has to control the raw resources. That’s the bet Trump is making. And it’s why investors are now watching the AI Metal story more closely than ever.
Explore the Company Tied to Trump’s Executive Order
This isn't financial advice, and no one can guarantee what will happen. But if you believe in connecting the dots – policy to minerals to AI – this is one of the most strategic companies to understand right now.
Click here to get the full breakdown from Jeff Brown.
FAQs – Trump’s Executive Order and Critical Minerals
What is Trump’s AI Executive Order about?
Originally EO 13953 in 2020, it’s now been revived with expanded authority to treat critical mineral supply as a national security issue. It enables fast-tracked reshoring, funding, and private contracts.
What are critical minerals and why do they matter?
They’re elements like lithium, cobalt, neodymium, etc., essential to AI chips, defense tech, and electric infrastructure. Most are dominated by Chinese supply chains.
Is Trump backing any specific stock?
No. But the conditions created by the EO favor companies that align with his reshoring agenda. The company covered in the AI Metal report is one of the few with strategic assets that qualify.
How does this affect AI investing in general?
It reframes AI from a software race to an infrastructure war. Those positioned in hardware, minerals, and defense logistics may benefit more than app developers in the long run.
Affiliate Disclaimer
This site contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through one of these links, I may receive a commission – at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources I believe are genuinely valuable and aligned with the article’s content.

Anna VanDem is a loving wife, caring mother and passionate entrepreneur that wished to help everyone in their online journey. Anna's focus is SEO and affiliate marketing, but she also enjoys eCom, crypto and investing (also chocolate).