Great-power competition | The U.S. invests $2 billion to revitalize its domestic critical minerals industry chain

On August 7, 2026, Trump hosted a mining industry roundtable meeting, announcing a $2 billion investment focused on revitalizing critical mineral and mining projects essential to the U.S. defense industrial base. On the same day, the White House released a fact sheet summarizing a series of initiatives undertaken since Trump’s return to office to rejuvenate America’s critical minerals supply chain. Key highlights are excerpted below. I. Strengthening the U.S. Mining Industry On August 7, 2026, Trump presided over a landmark mining industry roundtable, announcing over $2 billion in critical mineral and supporting mining projects to revitalize domestic mining operations; concurrently allocating $180 million to establish and expand mining schools, thereby expanding the U.S. mining workforce. ・ The Department of Defense (DoD) invested $85 million in Standard Bauxite Company to secure the supply chain for refractory-grade bauxite—essential raw material for high-temperature-resistant materials used in core components of U.S. military equipment and modern industrial systems. ・ The DoD invested $150 million in Naren Magnets, a Minnesota-based firm, to develop and produce 100% domestically manufactured permanent magnets free of rare earth elements—bolstering the defense industrial base and reducing reliance on imported rare-earth magnets. ・ The DoD invested $1.4 billion in Sila Nanotechnologies, a California-based manufacturer, to scale up silicon-carbon battery anode production and build a new lithium-ion cell manufacturing facility—enhancing supply chain security for satellites, drones, and munitions. ・ The DoD invested $400 million in Sunrise Energy Metals to establish a complete scandium supply chain, including construction of the world’s first primary scandium mine—ensuring stable supply of high-temperature aluminum alloys used in aircraft and spacecraft. ・ The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) provided $4.8 million to Harréna Rare Earths to develop a rare earth mine in Madagascar, securing stable supplies of magnetic metals and rare earths for U.S. manufacturing. ・ The Export-Import Bank of the United States granted $8 million to 5E Advanced Materials (California) to develop boron resources—boron being a core ingredient in permanent magnets, semiconductors, and specialty glass. ・ The Export-Import Bank allocated $25 million to Syoware Resources (Alabama) to develop the Coosa Graphite Mine, supporting domestic battery manufacturing. ・ The Export-Import Bank provided $25 million to Universal Advanced Materials (Pennsylvania) for tantalum and niobium mining development—supporting electronics, permanent magnet, and specialty steel production. ・ The Department of Energy (DOE) invested $100 million across 14 U.S. mining schools to cultivate the next generation of mining professionals—doubling the number of graduates holding professional credentials in mining, mineral processing, and related supply-chain disciplines. ・ The DoD invested over $80 million across three mining schools to launch large-scale talent development programs and technology innovation centers—training the next generation of geologists, metallurgical engineers, and mining engineers. II. Prioritizing Domestic Critical Minerals to Secure the Industrial Chain The Trump administration is building a robust, secure U.S. critical minerals and supporting supply chain—reducing dependence on adversarial nations, safeguarding national security, and enhancing economic resilience across core industries.

High-growth sectors collectively pull back: Semiconductor equipment leader hits limit-down; New Materials ETF plunges 2.30% on its first trading day of the new year

[Special Notice: New Materials ETF (516360) and Its Linked Fund] Focusing on carbon neutrality—another powerful tool for investing in the new materials sector! The New Materials ETF Linked Fund (Class A: 013473; Class C: 013474) opened subscription/redemption nationwide on October 21! New Materials ETF (516360) and its linked fund allocate over 70% of assets to leading stocks in new-energy vehicles, lithium batteries, chips, and photovoltaics; the remaining ~30% covers leading stocks in defense, chemicals, and new building materials. Together, they comprehensively reflect performance across mainstream sectors under the dual imperatives of the new economy and carbon neutrality. Investors without on-exchange securities accounts can subscribe/redeem the Huabao New Materials ETF Linked Fund (Class A: 013473; Class C: 013474) 24/7 via online distribution platforms starting October 21—with a minimum investment of just RMB 10—offering convenience and efficiency! [Summary of Q3 2021 Earnings Data for New Materials ETF (516360) Constituents] With the conclusion of A-share Q3 earnings disclosures, constituents of China’s first batch of New Materials ETFs (516360) have delivered stellar financial results! The average year-on-year growth rate of net profit attributable to shareholders among the 50 constituent stocks—including leaders in new-energy vehicles, photovoltaics, and semiconductors—reached a remarkable 311.72%. Of these, 43 companies reported both revenue and net profit growth year-on-year—a proportion as high as 86%! In terms of revenue: 20 companies posted total operating revenues exceeding RMB 10 billion, with Wanhua Chemical leading at RMB 107.3 billion. Twelve firms achieved over 100% year-on-year revenue growth, with Shanshan Co., Ltd. topping the list at +182%. Regarding net profit attributable to shareholders: 20 companies saw over 100% year-on-year growth; Huaqiang Silicon Industry recorded an extraordinary +5,895%. Notably, Wanhua Chemical was the sole company with net profit exceeding RMB 10 billion—achieving RMB 19.9 billion. Major index constituents—including Wanhua Chemical, Huayou Cobalt, Zhonghuan Co., Tianqi Lithium, Enjie Co., CATL, and Northern Microelectronics—all posted more than double-digit net profit growth year-on-year, with Wanhua Chemical achieving +265%. [Investment Guide for High-Priced A-Share Stocks in the New Materials Sector: Assemble Core Holdings—including CATL, Longi Green Energy, Wanhua Chemical, and Northern Microelectronics—for Under RMB 100] With “carbon neutrality” surging in popularity, new-energy vehicles, photovoltaics, and semiconductors have become hot investment themes. But fully assembling core assets from these sectors? That’s genuinely challenging—given their sky-high share prices… From an investment threshold perspective, leading stocks in the new materials sector generally trade at premium valuations. For example, as of the closing price on December 13, among the 50 constituent stocks held by New Materials ETF (516360), 18 had per-lot investment thresholds exceeding RMB 10,000. Specifically, buying one lot of CATL—the “trillion-yuan lithium battery leader”—costs RMB 65,800; one lot of Northern Microelectronics—the “semiconductor equipment leader”—exceeds RMB 36,900; and one lot of Enjie Co.—the “lithium battery separator leader”—exceeds RMB 26,000… So… where’s the solution? New Materials ETF (516360) closely tracks the CSI New Materials Theme Index, whose constituents focus heavily on the hottest current sectors—including new-energy vehicles, photovoltaics, semiconductors, chemicals, new building materials, and defense!

5E Advanced Materials stock falls despite $9.6M acquisition

Sep 15, 2026

5E Advanced Materials Inc. acquired Searles Valley Minerals' critical borate facilities for $9.6 million, becoming the sole U.S.-owned borates producer despite a 4.5% stock decline. The deal secures one of two operating complexes with an estimated 200-year resource life.

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