America’s Strategic Move to Secure Critical Materials

America’s demand for essential materials has reached a critical point. On July 20, 2026, Executive Order 14415 was signed, making clear that the United States cannot tolerate supply chains vulnerable to physical disruption, cyber threats, or economic coercion. Starting January 1, 2027, the Department of War will tightly limit waivers for acquiring certain adversary-sourced materials. Defense and aerospace contractors will need to trace components back to their raw material origins.

The order emphasizes that national security and commercial stability hinge on the materials needed to manufacture, sustain, and repair military equipment. The U.S. is revitalizing its shipyards and aerospace production lines. However, these efforts still rely on materials sourced from strategic rivals.

America may face challenges, but it is not without resources. Senator Dave McCormick’s recent Defense and Innovation Summit highlighted the industrial resurgence. Jamie Dimon described this as the “arsenal of democracy,” with JPMorgan announcing a $24 million package for maritime businesses and workforce development. The connection between military and economic strength is vital for a free world.

The 21st-century production means require not only factories and labor but also critical materials like copper and rare earths. A nation must control the material foundations to remain strong. An arsenal requires physical materials, and AI cannot produce them. Software scales easily, but minerals require extraction and refinement.

Many homes have drawers filled with old electronics. These contain valuable materials like copper, gold, and rare earth elements essential to industries. What was considered trash is now a national treasure. The U.S. depends on fragile foreign supply chains for minerals needed in various sectors. China controls a large share of global rare earth refining. When China restricted exports in 2025, production lines suffered.

Reviving U.S. mining is necessary, but it won’t meet the rising demand for minerals. Urban mining from obsolete electronics offers a fast solution. Recovering and refining materials from old electronics can create jobs and reduce dependence on rivals. Urban mining is not only an environmental initiative. It is an industrial strategy crucial for economic resilience and security.

Without these materials, the revival of industry and commerce remains a dream. e-waste recycling is essential, yet many devices never enter recycling. Public concern over data security hinders recycling efforts. Trust in secure data destruction and improvement in recovery technologies are crucial.

Globally, about 62 million tonnes of e-waste were generated in 2022, but only 22 percent was responsibly recycled. The rest is a loss of valuable materials America can’t waste. Bold policies are needed, like a “Green Fence,” to prevent the export of e-waste. Exporting old devices means exporting American resources and jobs. Technology can recover materials and strengthen domestic supply chains.

Recycling American e-waste could recover billions of pounds of critical materials. The opportunity exists. America needs the resolve to retain these resources.

John Shegerian is Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO of ERI, a major electronics recycling company. He advocates for the circular economy and sustainable resource management.