(MENAFN) The U.S. Department of Defense is urgently ramping up efforts to acquire nearly $1 billion in rare earth minerals, responding to China’s newly implemented export restrictions on materials with military applications, according to a report by media.

Citing filings from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), media revealed Sunday that Washington has sharply accelerated its strategic mineral stockpiling initiatives in recent months. The move comes amid growing concerns over China’s dominance in the global supply of critical materials. Data from the U.S. Geological Survey shows that China currently produces close to 70% of the world’s supply of these essential resources, which are vital for advanced weapons systems and other modern technologies.

An unnamed former defense official told the outlet the Pentagon is intensifying its procurement strategy: “The US is definitely looking for more, and they’re doing it in a deliberate and expansive way, and looking for new sources of different ores needed for defense products.”

According to media, the Department of Defense is now targeting mineral categories not previously on its acquisition list. Procurement plans reportedly include up to $500 million in cobalt, $245 million in antimony, $100 million in tantalum, and $45 million in scandium, among other rare earth elements.

Cristina Belda of Argus Media, a consultancy firm, told media that the defense agency’s demands have surprised industry observers. “Market participants have been taken aback by the volumes requested by the DLA,” she said, adding, “many consider the quantities to be unrealistic, especially within the proposed five-year timeframe.”

Beijing’s new rules, announced last Thursday, require foreign firms to obtain special clearance before exporting products that contain even trace amounts of Chinese-sourced rare earths. China justified the move by citing national security concerns and the potential dual-use of such minerals in military applications.

In response, U.S. President Donald Trump reacted sharply on Friday via his Truth Social platform, writing: “Washington would impose a Tariff of 100% on China, over and above any Tariff that they are currently paying,” starting November 1. He said the measure was in retaliation for Beijing’s “extraordinarily aggressive” export restrictions.

The escalating resource standoff underscores rising tensions in the U.S.-China tech and defense race, with global supply chains potentially facing severe disruptions.

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