Project Vault: Trump's battle to break China’s critical mineral stranglehold

Donald Trump has moved the war for critical minerals from the
margins of policy to the heart of great power rivalry. In this
episode of Battle Lines, we look at Project Vault, America's bid
to take back control of the critical minerals and rare earths
supply chain from China. 


This bid to build a vast new stockpile and industrial strategy
was unveiled at the inaugural US Critical Minerals Ministerial
Summit last week. Supporters see it as a necessary first step to
protect American industry and national security. Critics warn
that for middle countries, it may simply shift dependencies
rather than break them.


Venetia talks to Sibylline Chief Analyst Sam Olsen to unpack what
Project Vault really means, why processing matters more than
mining, and how China has weaponised its dominance in ways OPEC
never could. 


Plus, a deep dive on how Greenland fits into the West's rare
earths strategy. Greenland Energy, Business and Mineral Resources
Minister Naaja Nathanielsen on that Trump deal, Chinese influence
and the challenges of mining on the island. 


Producer: Peter Shevlin


Executive Producer: Louisa Wells


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