Rep. Ami Bera Leads Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen American Leadership in Global Mineral Supply Chains and Counter China’s Dominance

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA-06), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, introduced the bipartisan Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) Authorization Act alongside East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee Chairwoman Young Kim (R-CA-40) and Representative James Moylan (R-GU).

The Minerals Security Partnership Authorization Act formally authorizes the State Department to coordinate U.S. efforts across the MSP — a coalition of 14 countries and the European Union — to accelerate responsible investment in critical mineral projects around the world. Through diplomatic leadership and interagency coordination with partners like the DFC, USTDA, and EXIM Bank, the bill supports the development of secure, resilient, and sustainable supply chains.

“Minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements are essential to powering our economy, clean energy future, and national defense,” said Representative Bera. “The People’s Republic of China (PRC) currently holds a near-monopoly over many of these supply chains and has shown a willingness to weaponize that control. Securing critical minerals is not just an economic issue — it is a national security imperative. That’s why it is critical that the United States lead efforts like the Minerals Security Partnership to diversify supply chains and strengthen America’s long-term competitiveness.”

“Xi Jinping should not determine whether the United States can obtain critical minerals we need to power technologies that run our lives, from cell phones to defense systems,” said Representative Kim. “The United States must work with our allies to strengthen our critical mineral supply chains and protect our economy and national security from the Chinese Communist Party. The Minerals Security Partnership Authorization Act will allow us to do exactly that.”

“This bill strengthens the international and domestic efforts to secure mineral supply chains and relative advanced manufacturing, all of which are critical to our economic needs. These diversified supply chains allow for a stronger partnership between our allies, while significantly reducing outsourcing from adversarial counterparts. By forging a new database that collects information to attract investments, this bill will foster the collaboration between civil and private sectors to prioritize projects aligned with national security and environmental standards,” said Representative Moylan. “I want to thank Rep. Bera for championing this initiative utilizing the full potential of our mineral wealth to create a clean and domestic circular economy while ensuring these practices adhere to environmental guidelines. Together, we are committed to building a self-sustaining economy with resources found at home to advance essential technology and defense.”

The Minerals Security Partnership Authorization Act: 

• Provides diplomatic leadership within the MSP to identify, prioritize, and support strategic projects through every stage of the critical minerals supply chain — from extraction to processing to deployment in advanced technologies;
   
• Coordinates with partner governments and financial institutions to mobilize responsible investment and reduce dependence on authoritarian regimes;
   
• Engages with producing countries through the MSP Forum to foster transparent, high-standard investment environments;
   
• Promotes environmental safeguards, labor protections, and community benefits alongside economic development.

Representative Bera has long championed efforts to strengthen U.S. partnerships and deepen engagement in the Indo-Pacific, especially in the face of growing strategic competition with the PRC. This legislation reflects that commitment by advancing a proactive, cooperative, and values-driven approach to global supply chain resilience.

Established in 2022, the Minerals Security Partnership has emerged as a key platform for aligning international investment and diplomatic engagement around critical minerals. This bill lays the groundwork for continued U.S. leadership in shaping a more secure and sustainable global minerals landscape.

Read the full text of the legislation here.