The Race America Can't Afford To Lose
Big Tent Ideas
The Race America Can’t Afford To Lose
OPINION
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Timothy Maney
Contributor
June 20, 2026
10:12 AM ET
June 20, 2026 10:12 AM ET
Timothy Maney
Contributor
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As G7 leaders met to discuss critical minerals, the negotiations exposed a difficult but unavoidable reality. Rebuilding supply chains outside of China will require significant investment, coordination, leadership and political will.
A few months ago, Vice President J.D. Vance announced a bold framework to strengthen Western production and processing of strategic minerals and said that “the global market is failing.” Recently, our allies have raised concerns about the cost of the administration’s initiative, governance structures and the prospect of government intervention in mineral markets. (RELATED: The Harsh Reality Everyone’s Missing About Massive Lithium Find In Appalachia)
The real question facing the G7 and our allies is not whether there will be costs associated with building alternative supply chains it is whether the costs of continued dependence on China are greater. The Trump administration deserves credit for recognizing that critical minerals are not merely commodities but strategic assets.
While allies may disagree on implementation, pricing mechanisms, or governance models, success should be measured by whether the West can build a resilient and competitive critical minerals ecosystem capable of reducing dependence on China and strengthening the collective industrial base of the democratic world.
For years, Beijing has pursued a deliberate national strategy to secure control over critical minerals. (RELATED: The Harsh Truth About China’s Critical Mineral Stranglehold)
Through state subsidies, market intervention, below-market pricing, strategic acquisitions and investments throughout Africa, Latin America, and Asia, China has built a commanding position not only in mining but, more importantly, in processing and refining. Today, China controls a vast majority of the global rare earth processing capacity and holds considerable influence over numerous strategic mineral markets.
Western manufacturers, defense contractors, and technology companies increasingly rely upon supply chains that can be disrupted by geopolitical tensions or weaponized by Beijing. Recent Chinese export restrictions on gallium, germanium, graphite, antimony, and other strategic materials should serve as a warning. China has shown its willingness to use economic leverage as a geopolitical tool. In May 2026, China’s Ministry of Commerce said, “The Chinese government imposes export controls on rare earths and other critical minerals in accordance with laws and regulations.”
The United States cannot afford to ignore this challenge. That is why the Trump administration’s effort to build a critical minerals partnership among Western allies is exactly the type of strategic leadership this moment requires.
Critics have focused on disagreements among G7 countries about pricing mechanisms, market interventions, and governance structures. Such debates are inevitable. The United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and Europe all have different economic interests and political considerations.
But focusing on those differences misses the larger point. For the first time in decades, Western nations are recognizing that critical minerals are not simply commodities. They are strategic assets in the global marketplace.
President Donald Trump’s approach recognizes a fundamental reality. Markets alone will not solve a problem that evolved through years of state-directed competition from China. When a strategic competitor uses subsidies, predatory pricing, export restrictions, and industrial policy to dominate global markets, Western governments cannot simply hope private investment will restore balance on its own.
The administration’s willingness to explore purchase guarantees, investment support, tax incentives, Defense Production Act authorities and strategic partnerships reflects a growing understanding that rebuilding supply chains requires both public and private sector leadership. Equally important, these efforts are not about isolating America. They are about strengthening the collective resilience of America’s allies and partners.
This is about national security. It is about ensuring that America’s defense industrial base has reliable access to the materials needed to build aircraft, ships, missiles and advanced weapons systems. It is about ensuring that artificial intelligence infrastructure and semiconductor manufacturing are not dependent on supply chains vulnerable to geopolitical coercion. It is about reducing strategic vulnerabilities that adversaries could exploit during a future crisis.
Critical minerals are the foundation of the modern economy. They are also the foundation of military power, technological innovation and economic competitiveness.
The choice is straightforward. We can continue accepting dependence on supply chains controlled by our principal strategic competitor, or we can collaborate with allies to build secure, resilient alternatives. America’s economic future and national security dominance demand leadership.
Timothy Maney is a board member of Zenith Intelligence Group. He previously directed and managed the Federal Budget and Appropriations portfolios for the U.S. Chamber from 2000-2024. Previously, he served as the Chief Investigator for the Census Subcommittee (1998-2000).
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
