The stockpile is the latest move by the Trump administration to build a Western supply chain to counter China's dominance in critical minerals.

Trump's move is aimed at cutting America's dependence on China for materials essential to electric vehicles, defense systems and advanced technology.

President Donald Trump plans to launch a $12 billion stockpile of rare earth minerals called Project Vault to curb U.S. dependence on China.

President Trump said the stockpile would 'ensure that American businesses and workers are never harmed by any shortage'.

Other countries are expected to join Project Vault, which US president said would ensure that US businesses are ‘never harmed by any shortage’

The moves come shortly after President Donald Trump announced the establishment of a U.S. critical mineral reserve.

The stockpile is the latest move by the Trump administration to build a Western supply chain to counter China's dominance in critical minerals.

More than 50 countries are represented at the Critical Minerals Ministerial to discuss how to reduce reliance on China.

Critical minerals have already been at the center of mounting conflict between the U.S. and China. These tensions laid bare weakness in the supply chain.