Duval Times

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has called for Congress to act on a bipartisan solution to address the critical minerals crisis, emphasizing the need for swift and decisive action. In an opinion piece published by The Hill on August 9, 2024, Rubio criticized previous efforts to tackle the chips shortage through industrial policy as belated and undermined by competing priorities within the Biden-Harris administration.

"Electromagnets, semiconductors, batteries: Each of these technologies plays an essential role in America’s defense, health care, energy and transportation sectors," Rubio wrote. "Each depends on critical minerals for its production." He pointed out that China has used unfair economic practices to dominate these strategically valuable sectors, leaving the United States vulnerable.

Rubio highlighted bipartisan support for securing access to critical minerals. Alongside Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), he introduced the Global Strategy for Securing Critical Minerals Act. This legislation aims to help America compete by establishing a comprehensive strategy toward economic independence from China.

In addition to this joint effort, Rubio introduced the Critical Mineral Supply Chain Realignment Act. This bill proposes imposing substantial tariffs on Chinese critical mineral products: 800 percent tariffs on products manufactured in China, 150 percent tariffs on Chinese entities circumventing duties through "country hopping," and 25 percent tariffs on products from countries not designated as U.S. allies or partners in free trade agreements or members of the Mineral Security Partnership.

"These measures would boost private sector confidence and allow us, our allies, and our partners to develop a critical mineral supply chain impenetrable to Beijing," Rubio stated. "They are tough measures, to be sure, but that is precisely what we need."