New NMPP Report outlines strategies to counter disruptions in critical mineral markets, secure supply chains, and advance sustainability.

In a landmark initiative to bolster transparency and sustainability in critical mineral markets, a joint report from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries examines the disruptive effects of non-market policies and practices, with a particular focus on vulnerabilities in the supply chains for critical minerals such as rare earths, graphite, cobalt, nickel, and magnesium, while offering an in-depth analysis to guide market-oriented economies in addressing these challenges.

The increasing demand for critical minerals, driven by advancements in clean energy and modern technology, has exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, where concentrated production, limited access to resources, and state-directed policies – such as export restrictions, subsidies, and price manipulation – have created significant challenges for industries and economies reliant on these materials.

Ratcheting tensions between the United States and China have added to the fragility of global critical mineral supply chains.

Recent export bans by Beijing on gallium, germanium, and antimony – materials indispensable to semiconductors, renewable energy, and defense technologies – underscore the risks of America's prolonged dependence on foreign and adversarial nations for these essential resources.

These targeted restrictions, alongside China's near monopoly on processing and refinement, exemplify the geopolitical dynamics threatening industries vital to the nation's security and technological leadership.

As markets become increasingly weaponized, the U.S. and Norway have forged a partnership to address the disruptions threatening global supply chains.

Released under the 2024 U.S.-Norway Critical Minerals Memorandum of Cooperation, the Report on Non-Market Policies and Practices in the Critical Minerals Sector (NMPP Report) stands as a pivotal step in countering the influence of non-market policies.

Developed with input from agencies such as the U.S. Geological Survey, Norwegian Geological Survey, and International Trade Administration, this 52-page report delves into a wide array of topics, including the economic impacts of non-market policies, the role of international partnerships in strengthening supply chains, and initiatives aimed at bolstering domestic resource development and refining capabilities.

Outlining the distinct yet complementary roles of the U.S. and Norway in addressing critical mineral supply chain vulnerabilities, the report highlights how their efforts align to mitigate global challenges.

For the U.S., priorities include identifying and developing domestic reserves of materials such as graphite, cobalt, and nickel while addressing gaps in processing capabilities. Norway contributes through its expertise in refining critical materials like nickel and titanium, leveraging hydropower to integrate sustainability into its operations.

By examining these strengths alongside challenges – such as America's reliance on foreign processing and Norway's dependence on external markets for certain raw materials – the analysis brings to attention the importance of collaboration in establishing resilient and transparent supply chains.

Simply put, the report provides an overview of mineral supply chains in the U.S. and Norway and how non-market policies and practices have impacted the markets for rare earths, graphite, cobalt, nickel, and magnesium.

"Securing our critical mineral supply chains is vital to protecting our national security and enhancing our economic competitiveness," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Analysis Grant Harris. "This report provides an in-depth analysis of how non-market policies and practices have impacted the markets for critical minerals. It should be used to inform actions by market-oriented economies and industry partners to differentiate markets and strengthen these vital supply chains."

Norway's strength

Central to the collaborative effort outlined in the NMPP Report is an examination of Norway's contributions to global critical mineral supply chains and advancements in sustainable practices.

With substantial reserves of ilmenite (titanium mineral), nickel, and high-grade graphite, Norway plays a crucial role in supporting global supply chains for critical technologies, providing the essential materials that power industries like renewable energy, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing.

According to the report, the Nordic nation's contributions are exemplified by the Trælen graphite mine in northern Norway, which provides one of the world's highest-grade sources of graphite for electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems.

Similarly, the Engebø project serves as a significant producer of ilmenite, a feedstock critical to titanium production for aerospace and advanced manufacturing. Adding to this, the country's nickel refining capabilities, particularly in Kristiansand, strengthen Europe's renewable energy and technological ambitions by supplying a key material for clean energy infrastructure.

A point of particular emphasis, and what sets Norway apart, is its commitment to sustainability. As detailed in the report, hydropower – a cornerstone of its energy resources – powers operations like its Trælen graphite mine, Engebø project, and the nickel refining facilities in Kristiansand, significantly reducing their environmental impact.

By leveraging its abundant hydropower and integrating renewable energy into mining and processing, Norway has lowered the carbon footprint of its critical mineral supply chains and established itself as an important supplier of ethically sourced and processed materials essential to renewable energy and advanced technologies.

The reduced carbon footprint of Norway's critical mineral supply chains aligns with global net-zero targets and sets a benchmark for responsible mineral development.

As detailed in the report, these efforts not only support its domestic ambitions but also position Norway as a strategic partner in Europe's drive to diversify supply chains and reduce reliance on adversarial nations.

This alignment of values and capabilities further reinforces its collaboration with the U.S. to bolster transparent and resilient critical mineral markets worldwide.

U.S. initiatives

Recognizing the vulnerabilities of its critical mineral supply chains, the U.S. has enacted a range of initiatives to identify domestic resources, increase production capabilities, and reduce reliance on foreign sources.

As outlined in the NMPP Report, programs like the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) and federal investments through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act play a central role in these efforts, equipping the nation with the tools needed to locate, mine, and process the materials critical to its economic and technological ambitions.

Spearheaded by the U.S. Geological Survey, Earth MRI has been serving as the first step of the nation's strategy to secure critical mineral supply chains by providing high-resolution geologic mapping and resource assessments that identify domestic deposits of materials such as graphite, cobalt, and nickel – essential components in clean energy technologies and defense systems.

According to the report, significant resource potential has already been identified in regions like Alaska and the Mountain West – a mineral-rich area encompassing states such as Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming – laying the groundwork for future mining and processing projects aimed at reducing dependency on imports.

Efforts to tap into the resource potential identified in these regions quickly gained momentum, particularly for materials like graphite, cobalt, and nickel. In Alaska, the Graphite One project aims to establish a fully integrated supply chain for high-grade graphite – an essential material for lithium-ion batteries and renewable energy storage systems.

Meanwhile, in Idaho and Montana, federal investments are supporting projects to bolster domestic cobalt supplies, which are vital for battery technologies and high-performance alloys.

According to the NMPP Report, these initiatives are critical to reducing reliance on imports, as the U.S. currently has no domestic graphite production and relies on imports for nearly all of its cobalt, much of which is sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo and refined in China.

Global collaboration

U.S. Department of State

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide at the signing of a memorandum of cooperation on High-Standard, Market-Oriented Trade of Critical Minerals in Sept.

By combining their strengths, the U.S. and Norway have started working in tandem to address the fragility of global critical mineral supply chains.

With the U.S. focused on advancing domestic mining and processing through tools like the Defense Production Act, investments in lithium production, and research led by the Critical Materials Institute, these strategies are complemented by Norway's production of critical materials like titanium and silicon, the development of Europe's largest known rare earth element deposit at the Fen Complex, and advancements in synthetic graphite production through the Vianode project, addressing battery supply chain vulnerabilities with a strong focus on sustainability.

This evolving partnership will build on a strong foundation of trade and cooperation between the U.S. and Norway, where economic ties have historically centered on sectors such as energy, shipping, and technology; however, the urgency of securing critical mineral supply chains has broadened the scope of their collaboration.

By aligning their trade strategies and leveraging shared expertise, the two nations hope to foster a more transparent global marketplace that counters the disruptions caused by non-market policies and practices while advancing transparency, promoting ethical sourcing, and diversifying critical mineral supply chains as a model for international collaboration.

The NMPP Report further highlights the need for market-oriented economies to cooperate in addressing state-directed policies that threaten free trade and global stability, providing a framework to enhance resilience across critical industries.

For industries reliant on many of the materials deemed critical to national security and defense, the report offers actionable insights into adapting supply chains through diversified sourcing, ethical trade practices, and innovations in processing.

By addressing challenges outlined in the report, such as balancing stringent environmental and labor standards with competitive costs, the collaboration between the U.S. and Norway represents a critical step toward creating more resilient and sustainable supply chains that support the global transition to clean energy and technological innovation while illustrating shared values of transparency, sustainability, and ethical trade.

The full NMPP Report can be read here.