President Donald Trump announced roughly $3 billion in U.S. government investments and financing for critical minerals, battery materials and mining projects, part of a broader effort to strengthen domestic production and reduce reliance on China. The administration views critical minerals as essential to national security, advanced manufacturing and the defense industry. Among the largest commitments is a $1.4 billion conditional loan from the Pentagon’s Office of Strategic Capital to Sila Nanotechnologies, a producer of materials used in lithium-ion batteries. The U.S. Export-Import Bank will also provide $58 million in financing to Westwater Resources, Global Advanced Metals and 5E Advanced Materials. China remains a dominant force in the global supply of many strategic minerals.