Industry pushes Trump to tap ‘metal czar’ to confront China

Mining executives are calling on President-elect Donald Trump to tap a “critical mineral czar” or emissary and boost domestic mining to reduce dependence on China.

said Benny Althaus, Chairman and CEO of Cove Capital, a mining and metals investment firm During the interview On Fox News on Monday, Trump said Trump needs to bring in a point person to coordinate federal agencies like the Departments of Energy and Defense.

“I think there should be a significant minerals official or special envoy appointed to coordinate initiatives across these agencies,” said Althouse, who also founded USA Rare Earth, which owns a rare earth mine in Texas.

Althouse, who has also called for more domestic mining and coordination with allies like Canada and Australia, is part of a growing call in the mining sector for the Trump administration to create a leadership role or entity to streamline and accelerate minerals that are largely extracted and processed offshore.