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

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

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

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.

The Trump administration has put critical minerals at the heart of its trade and industrial policies in an effort to reduce dependence on China.

The aim of the group is to challenge China’s stronghold on the globe’s rare earth mining.

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.

An event was attended by representatives of at least 50 countries, the White House said.

The U.S. is mobilizing allies into a preferential trade bloc for critical minerals as part of efforts to counter China's dominance in the market.