Session I
MAINSTAGE FIRESIDE CHAT
Securing America’s Mineral Supply Chains
Monday April 7th
Updated
As global competition intensifies for rare earth elements, lithium, cobalt, and other critical minerals vital to clean energy technologies, advanced manufacturing, and defense systems, Chairman Jovanovic is leading EXIM's proactive strategy to reduce America's dependence on unreliable foreign sources and protect American economic and national security interests. Jovanovic will discuss EXIM's bold new initiatives including the Supply Chain Resiliency Initiative (SCRI), the landmark $10 billion Project Vault establishing America's first Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve, and the Make More in America Initiative supporting domestic production capacity. Chairman Jovanovic will share insights on partnering with industry leaders from General Motors, Boeing, and GE Vernova; countering China's dominance in processing and refining; building resilient supply chains with allies like Australia and Canada; and his $100 billion investment strategy for securing the raw materials that power America's economic future.
Moderator
JOHN DOE
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12th Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
U.S. Department of Defence
Additional context
The United States faces unprecedented vulnerability in its critical minerals supply chains. China currently controls a dominant share of global processing capacity for minerals essential to semiconductors, electric vehicles, battery storage, and defense technologies. Recent export restrictions on gallium, germanium, and antimony underscore the urgent need for supply chain diversification. American manufacturers—from automakers to chipmakers—require reliable access to these materials to compete globally and maintain national security.
EXIM's Strategic Response
Under the leadership of Chairman John Jovanovic, EXIM has launched three transformative initiatives:
Supply Chain Resiliency Initiative (SCRI)
A flexible financing tool supporting international critical mineral projects with supply agreements to U.S. manufacturers, enabling "friendshoring" strategies with trusted partner countries
Make More in America Initiative (MMIA)
Providing market-rate financing to establish or expand domestic manufacturing and processing facilities, with financing scaled to job creation
Project Vault
A landmark $10 billion loan program establishing the U.S. Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve—the largest financing in EXIM's 91-year history—designed to shield domestic manufacturers from supply shocks through strategic stockpiling
Industry Partnership in Action
Leading American corporations are stepping forward as partners in this national imperative. General Motors, Boeing, GE Vernova, Clarios, and Western Digital are among the manufacturers participating in Project Vault, while Mercuria Americas, Hartree Partners, and Traxys serve as critical supply chain enablers. This unprecedented public-private collaboration combines $10 billion in EXIM financing with approximately $2 billion in private capital, creating a model for strategic sourcing that aligns commercial interests with national security objectives.
Why This Matters Now
With $14.8 billion in letters of interest issued for critical minerals projects and Project Vault poised to establish America's first-ever civilian strategic minerals reserve, we are witnessing a fundamental realignment of global supply chains. This session provides a unique opportunity to understand how federal financing tools, corporate strategy, and international partnerships are converging to secure America's economic future.