The president said critical minerals and materials are necessary for U.S. national defense and security. President Donald Trump invoked the Defense Production Act on July 30 to implement export restrictions on recoverable critical minerals. The presidential memorandum gave Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick authority to restrict the export of old batteries and other electronic waste containing critical minerals and materials. “America’s inadequate supply of CMMs [critical minerals and materials] poses an increasing risk to our national defense and security,” it said. “Critical minerals have become central in U.S. Government policymaking and international relations,” U.S. Geological Survey Director Ned Mamula said.