Loading ...By Leslie Hook
Financial Times, London
Thursday, November 6, 2025
The U.S. Department of the Interior has added copper, silver, and metallurgical coal to its list of “critical minerals,” increasing the likelihood that these materials could be included in future tariff policies.
The three materials are among 10 elements added today to the list, which is updated every three years by the U.S. Geological Survey. The list determines which minerals are included in the upcoming Section 232 tariff review of levies applied for national security purposes. It also plays a role in determining which domestic projects may receive federal support.
The Trump administration has made it a top priority to secure the supply chains of critical minerals used in the U.S., and greatly expanded the definition of what constitutes a “critical” mineral.
Several of the additions are materials that the U.S. already produces in large quantities and exports, such as metallurgical coal and boron. The USGS said that boron was added after input from industry producers in California. …
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