The move is the latest effort by the Trump administration to shore up supplies of critical mineralsRare earths have gained outsized importance since last year when China placed export controls that rattled US manufacturers. The presidential determination gives the commerce secretary authority to institute export restrictions on recoverable critical minerals and materials, or CMMs, according to a White House fact sheet. Rare earths have gained outsized importance since last year when China placed export controls that rattled US manufacturers. Reopening access to critical minerals and rare earths was a central focus of a broad trade deal the US and China eventually reached that eased tariffs on goods and curbed some export restrictions. Despite that detente, the Trump administration has moved to secure alternative sources of those minerals.