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Silverado regularly hosts video conversations, expert panels, and webinars featuring its research staff and subject-matter specialists. These programs explore emerging policy issues, unpack the findings behind Silverado’s publications, and provide context on key national and economic security trends. Each session offers clear, research-grounded insights for policymakers, practitioners, and the public.

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Who Controls the World’s Critical Minerals?

Silverado's Mahnaz Khan shared her critical mineral expertise as a guest on the Elevated Thoughts podcast, where she explained the central role critical minerals play in the U.S. economy.

Silverado's Mahnaz Khan shared her critical mineral expertise as a guest on the Elevated Thoughts podcast, where she explained the central role critical minerals play in the U.S. economy. She discussed the risks stemming from U.S. dependence on China's control of the critical mineral market and outlined potential frameworks for reducing U.S. vulnerabilities in this strategic sector.

China's critical mineral supply chains, rare earths, cobalt, tariffs, US reliance—our latest episode unpacks how exposed America has become with our guest, Mahnaz Khan, VP of Policy for Critical Minerals at the Silverado Policy Accelerator.

We dig into where we get the tiny magnets inside your AirPods, the subsidies that warp “free trade,” and the high‑stakes game of critical minerals exports and imports. From China’s early acquisition of DRC cobalt mines to the 95% U.S. dependence on Chinese rare earths, this conversation reveals exactly why critical minerals have become the centerpiece of global competition.

You’ll hear Mahnaz explain the “Great, mineral hope” for domestic production, the urgency behind a proposed Trade Defense Pack, and the real costs of letting Beijing steam‑roll ahead. Whether you’re curious about the politics, the economics, or the tech under your fingertips, this episode delivers both insider insight and actionable takeaways.

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 03:02 Understanding Critical Minerals
  • 06:04 The Role of U.S. Trade Agencies
  • 09:05 China's Influence on Critical Minerals
  • 12:08 The Rare Earths Story
  • 15:00 Cobalt and Global Supply Dynamics
  • 18:12 U.S. Domestic Production Challenges
  • 20:48 China's Belt and Road Initiative
  • 24:10 Strategies for Ethical Supply Chains
  • 28:05 Navigating Parenthood and Professional Life
  • 28:56 Understanding Bilateral Relations and Trade Policies
  • 30:07 Critical Minerals and Trade Agreements
  • 33:05 China's Influence in Global Supply Chains
  • 35:54 Challenges of Product Dumping and Tariffs
  • 38:56 Addressing Labor Issues in Mining
  • 41:59 The U.S. Perception in Global Markets
  • 44:04 The Role of the U.S. in Global Supply Chains
  • 46:02 Circular Economy and Recycling Initiatives
  • 50:00 Future Directions for U.S. Trade Policy

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