In a significant move, Donald Trump has ordered a comprehensive probe into the critical mineral imports to the United States, which may lead to new tariffs as part of efforts to reduce dependency on China. This initiative aims to secure U.S. mineral independence while addressing the growing need for deep-sea critical metals. As tensions escalate in the trade war with China, the Trump administration seeks to stockpile these vital resources and is considering legal operations to explore U.S. waters for mineral extraction. The Federal Critical Mineral Processing Initiative has been announced, reflecting a broader strategy to bolster domestic production and lower reliance on imported minerals. Controversially, China has criticized these developments, labeling them as chaotic and destabilizing to global markets.